As the Atlanta Braves battle it out with the Philadelphia Phillies for the National League East division title, Atlanta will now be without their best player for the remainder of the season. On Saturday night, the Braves announced that outfielder and last year’s unanimous MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. to a torn ACL during their game with the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.
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
It was a non-contact injury as Acuña was trying to get back to second base.
Ronald Acuña Jr. has left today’s game after a non-contact injury on the basepaths
(via @BravesOnBally)
pic.twitter.com/2MEPS7U9OR— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 26, 2024
This is now the second time in the last four years that Acuña suffered a complete tear of an ACL. Back in 2021, a year where the Braves ended up winning the World Series, he tore his right ACL while trying to field a fly ball. This time, he tore the ACL on his left knee. After an historic 2023 that saw him steal 70 bases, Acuña will finish the 2024 season with 4 home runs, 15 RBI, 16 stolen bases, 47 hits and slashing .246/.348/.356. Suffering ACL tears to both of the knees in just four years by the age of 26 is a tough blow for Acuña.
Injuries Mounting For Atlanta
The loss of Acuña is devastating for a Braves team looking to go back to the World Series. It’s also not the only big injury they’ve suffered this year. Atlanta already lost ace pitcher Spencer Strider for the season with an UCL injury that required surgery. Catcher Sean Murphy has been on the injured list since suffering a left oblique strain on Opening Day. Murphy is currently on rehab assignment and could return by next week.
Third baseman Austin Riley has been out since suffering a left intercostal strain on May 12th. The Braves did not place him on the injured list, although it’s expected that he will return on Monday. Atlanta’s #1 prospect, AJ Smith-Shawver, suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain during an outing against the Chicago Cubs. He is expected to be out until August.
Main Photo Credits: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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