Atlanta’s baseball star, Ronald Acuña Jr., experienced some difficulty during Tuesday’s game against the Kansas City Royals. He felt some tightness in his Achilles, leading to his removal from the game and a forthcoming stay on the injured list.
Shortly after he was taken out in the sixth inning, the Braves shared details of his condition. Manager Brian Snitker communicated to the press following the game that Acuña would be placed on the 10-day injured list. He was spotted wearing a walking boot following the game.
Acuña exited the game with two outs remaining in the sixth inning. Vinnie Pasquantino from Kansas City hit a ball far into the right-center field, beyond Acuña’s reach. The ball bounced on the warning track, went over the fence, and resulted in a ground-rule RBI double, which broadened Kansas City’s lead to 9-3.
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Acuña ambled off from his outfield position, and then went with a trainer to the Braves’ clubhouse. Soon after his departure, the Braves announced that Acuña was experiencing some tightness located in his right Achilles tendon.
The Royals were able to maintain their lead and won with a score of 9-6.
Reports indicate that Acuña displayed discomfort leading up to the play that preceded his departure. Post-game, he expressed, through an interpreter, that the injury started the night before as he was running from first to home. He was seen wiping away tears on several occasions:
“I believe the situation worsened as of today. I informed everyone yesterday and they said that I could take the day off, but I have been absent for too long due to previous injuries, and I don’t want to miss any more time.”
“I hoped they wouldn’t hit the ball in my direction, but as expected, it was.”
This injury is the latest one affecting a distinguished career that has seen multiple leg injuries. Acuña has previously suffered ACL tears in both knees — the right knee in 2021 and the left in 2024. In the time between those injuries, he was awarded the 2023 MVP, as he led the National League in categories like hits, runs scored, stolen bases, and on-base percentage.
Because of injuries, Acuña has been limited to participating in 82 games or less in three of his seven MLB seasons. He was absent for the initial 49 games of the current season as he was still in recovery from the ACL tear from the previous year.
Despite these setbacks, Acuña has been selected for the All-Star team in five of his seven MLB seasons. He’s recognized as one of baseball’s most adaptable and talented offensive players. Furthermore, he was named Rookie of the Year in one of the two years he was not an All-Star.
Acuña and the Braves are undoubtedly hoping that this recent issue won’t keep him on the injured list for too long. Currently, the Braves have a 45-61 record, and they are 12.5 games away from the wild-card race at the end of Tuesday’s game. Because of that, there is little motivation for the team to rush his return.
