Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr is out for the season after tearing his ACL in Sunday’s win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team announced.
Braves fans collectively held their breath after watching the star right fielder and reigning National League MVP limp off the field following an apparent non-contact injury to his left knee.
Acuña was taking advantage at second base in Pittsburgh against the Pirates when he quickly attempted to return to the bag, only to collapse on the infield floor while holding his leg.
Officially, the Braves said Acuna left Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh due to “left knee soreness.” Left fielder Adam Duvall moved to right field in the second inning to replace Acuña, while Jarred Kelenic moved into left field.
Acuña suffered a non-contact injury Sunday in Pittsburgh while holding on to his
And later Sunday night, Atlanta confirmed the worst after announcing that their star tore his ACL, abruptly ending his season.
“OF Ronald Acuña Jr. underwent an MRI tonight which revealed a complete tear of the ACL in his left knee,” they wrote. “He will undergo surgery on a date yet to be determined and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season.”
The 26-year-old Venezuelan previously suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in 2021, causing him to miss the second half of that season.
Acuña opened the game with a double against Pittsburgh’s Martín Pérez amid an unusually slow start for the four-time All-Star. He is hitting just .246 on the year with just four home runs.
A year ago, Acuña hit .337 with 8.1 WAR (wins above replacement), the latter of which ranked behind Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts.
It’s also been a tough year for Acuña in the field, where he recently dropped an easy fly ball in Atlanta’s May 20 loss to the San Diego Padres.
Acuña, playing in right with Padres star Manny Machado, launched an easy fly ball to the outfield.
He seemed to have a good read on the ball, but simply dropped it to the surprise of the commentators and those in attendance.
Originally from Venezuela, Acuña, 26, ranks as one of the most feared hitters in the MLB.
Fans then criticized Acuña for not converting the easy out.
‘Did Acuña just forget how to play baseball?’ said one MLB fan on social media.
‘Never put your glove in front of your eyes when you catch a fly. I learned it in the minor leagues,’ said another fan.
“Brother is very washed up,” one person said of Acuña with a skull emoji.
“Looks like the guy totally took off-season training after the MVP,” said another baseball fan on X.
“Even the best fail at the simplest things,” concluded one baseball fan.