Atlanta’s baseball star, Ronald Acuña Jr., experienced some discomfort during Tuesday’s contest against the Kansas City Royals, specifically tightness in his Achilles, leading to his removal from the game and subsequent placement on the injured list.
Team officials shared details soon after he left in the sixth inning. Manager Brian Snitker mentioned that Acuña would be placed on the 10-day injured list. Following the game, he was observed wearing a walking boot.
Acuña’s departure occurred with two outs in the latter part of the sixth. Kansas City’s Vinnie Pasquantino hit a deep fly ball to right-centerfield that Acuña couldn’t quite reach. It bounced off the warning track and went over the fence for a ground-rule RBI double, increasing Kansas City’s lead to 9-3.
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Acuña then walked off the field from his outfield position, heading to the Braves clubhouse with a trainer, with one out remaining in the inning. Shortly after he left, the Braves stated that Acuña was experiencing tightness in his right Achilles tendon.
The Royals secured a 9-6 victory.
The specific timing and cause of Acuña’s injury are still unclear, as is whether the tightness was the result of accumulated stress. Reports from the game suggest that Acuña showed indications of discomfort before the play that led to his exit.
This injury is the latest in a distinguished career that has been impacted by leg issues. Acuña has previously suffered ACL tears in his left knee — once in 2021 and again in 2024. In the time between, he earned the 2023 MVP award while leading the National League in multiple categories, including hits, runs scored, stolen bases, and on-base percentage.
Injuries have restricted Acuña to 82 games or fewer in multiple MLB seasons. He missed the first part of this season while recovering from his ACL tear sustained in 2024.
Despite these setbacks, Acuña has been selected as an All-Star multiple times, showcasing his abilities as one of the most versatile and talented offensive players in baseball. He was recognized as Rookie of the Year in one of the years he wasn’t named an All-Star.
Acuña and the Braves are hoping that this recent issue won’t necessitate a long stay on the injured list. With the Braves trailing in the wild-card race, there should be limited urgency to bring him back quickly.
