Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is out for the season.
This unfortunate and unwelcomed news is the result of an MRI Acuña underwent tonight after a base running injury during Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The MRI showed a complete tear of the Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.
OF Ronald Acuña Jr. tonight underwent an MRI that revealed a complete tear of the ACL in his left knee. He is set to undergo surgery at a date yet to be determined and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 27, 2024
The Braves announced tonight that he will undergo surgery at an undetermined date and as result, will miss the remainder of the season.
This injury recalls a similar injury to his right knee in 2021, the year the Braves went on to win the World Series. He missed half of the season and post-season play due to an ACL tear in his right knee. He also had an ACL strain in his left knee in 2018.
The injury occurred in the top of the first inning. On second base, Acuña Jr. tried to steal third and was trying to hurry back to second to avoid being tagged out. But as he spun around, he toppled to the ground grimacing in pain as he was lying on the field being attended to by Braves trainers. It appears his left knee was affected.
The Braves defeated the Pirates 8-1, taking 1 game out of a 3-game series.
A season-ending injury to one of its most vital starters is not what the Braves needed. The Braves are currently missing their top starting pitcher, Spencer Strider, due to a bone fragment injury which will keep him off the mound for the rest of the season. The team is trying to recover from a prolonged offensive slump. They have lost 6 of their last ten games and are six games out of first place in the National League East, behind the Philadelphia Phillies.
Ronald Acuña Jr. goes down in intense pain at second base. pic.twitter.com/xqU4d8IJbx
— Baseball GIFs (@gifs_baseball) May 26, 2024
Courtesy: Baseball GIFs
The Braves are now home to play the Washington Nationals in a four-game series at Truist Park, which starts tomorrow.
Update: 12:06 PM Acuña Jr. posted this message to fans on social media…
Sorry💔😪
— Ronald Acuña Jr. (@ronaldacunajr24) May 27, 2024