The MLB Comeback Gamers of the 12 months are available all sizes and shapes – whether or not that’s a 37-year-old ace coming back from Tommy John surgical procedure or a 27-year-old outfielder exhibiting he’s nonetheless elite after a second main knee surgical procedure.
Jacob deGrom of the Rangers earned the American League Comeback Participant of the 12 months Award, and Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Braves captured the respect within the NL, as introduced on the MLB Awards offered by MGM Rewards on Thursday.
After struggling an entire tear of the ACL in his left knee in 2024, Acuña wasted little time reasserting himself as among the best gamers within the recreation in ‘25. Actually, on the very first pitch he noticed in practically a full calendar yr, Acuña launched a 467-foot dwelling run in his season debut on Might 23.
Because it seems, that was an indication of the efficiency to come back. In 95 video games, Acuña slashed .290/.417/.518 with 21 dwelling runs and began the All-Star Sport for the fourth time in his profession. Among the many 215 gamers with at the least 400 plate appearances this season, solely 5 had a better OPS than Acuña’s .935 mark.
In the meantime, deGrom returned from practically two years on the sideline – he hadn’t pitched since April 2023 earlier than coming again in September 2024 – and carved up lineups like he hadn’t missed a beat. He went 12-8 with a 2.97 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP, which trailed solely Tarik Skubal amongst certified pitchers. deGrom was an All-Star for the fifth time in his profession and completed eighth in AL Cy Younger Award voting.
On high of that, deGrom was notably sturdy. He made 30 begins in a season for the primary time since 2019, logging 172 2/3 innings.
The Comeback Participant of the 12 months Award is offered yearly to at least one participant in every league “who has re-emerged on the sphere through the season.” The winners are decided through a vote by the 30 MLB.com membership beat reporters.
Acuña is the fifth Braves participant to win the respect, and the second consecutive Atlanta winner, following Chris Sale in ‘24. deGrom is the second Rangers winner, becoming a member of Prince Fielder (2015).
