Atlanta Braves Lose Ronald Acuña Jr. for Season Due to Torn ACL
Reigning National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a season-ending blow as he tore the ACL in his left knee during Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The injury occurred in the first inning when Acuña’s left knee buckled on a delayed steal attempt between second and third base. This marks the second ACL tear for Acuña, who previously injured his right knee in 2018 while making a catch in the outfield.
Acuña, 26, is a cornerstone player for the Atlanta Braves and is widely regarded as one of the top talents in Major League Baseball. His absence will significantly impact the Braves, who had high hopes for the season despite earlier losing ace pitcher Spencer Strider to injury.
Last season, Acuña’s stellar performance helped propel the Braves to a major-league-best 104 wins. He finished the year with a .337 batting average, 41 home runs, 106 RBIs, and 73 stolen bases, earning him a unanimous MVP award. However, the Braves fell short in the playoffs, losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in the division series.
In the current season, Acuña had struggled to replicate his previous success, batting .250 with 4 home runs, 15 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases in 49 games. Despite the injury, Acuña initially believed it was less severe than his previous ACL tear.
Following the announcement of his season-ending injury, Acuña expressed remorse on social media with a simple message: “Sorry,” accompanied by broken heart and crying emojis.
The loss of Acuña adds to the challenges facing the Braves, whose offense has faltered compared to the previous season. While designated hitter Marcell Ozuna has been a standout performer, other key hitters such as Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, and Michael Harris II have struggled to produce consistently.
Despite these offensive struggles, Atlanta’s pitching has remained strong, with left-hander Chris Sale and free agent signing Reynaldo Lopez delivering standout performances. The Braves currently hold a 30-20 record, tied for second in the NL with the Los Angeles Dodgers, trailing the division-leading Philadelphia Phillies.
Acuña’s impact on the Braves extends beyond his on-field performance. His rookie season in 2018 earned him the NL Rookie of the Year award, and he subsequently signed a team-friendly eight-year, $100 million contract extension. Although discussions for a new extension were rumored, they did not materialize before his injury.
Acuña’s injury is a significant setback for the Braves as they navigate the remainder of the season without one of their star players.
