The Atlanta Braves’ fear regarding Ronald Acuña Jr.’s knee injury in Sunday’s win over the Pittsburgh Pirates was confirmed.
Acuña, the reigning National League MVP, has suffered a torn ACL, which an MRI showed after he had to leave the game early on Sunday. As a result, Acuña is done for the 2024 season – a crushing blow to a playoff favorite.
The Braves announced the injury on Sunday, saying “he is set to undergo surgery at a date yet to be determined and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
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Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves walks off the field with trainers after an apparent injury in the first inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 26, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Justin Berl/Getty Images)
Acuña posted to social media after learning of his diagnosis, where he apologized to fans.
“Sorry,” Acuña said with a broken-heart and crying face emoji.
Acuña’s injury came in the first inning of the 8-1 victory, as he was taking a lead from second base. He went to steal third base, but immediately went down to the dirt.
The Braves likely gasped when they saw him clutch his left knee after the non-contact injury. Acuña was able to get up after several moments and limp off the field on his own power.
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The first update from the Braves was that he had left knee soreness, but it ended up being more serious than that.
Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves warms up prior to the start of his game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on August 27, 2023 in San Francisco, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Acuña has torn his ACL before, but his first serious knee injury came in his right leg in 2021 while jumping during a play in the outfield.
Acuña’s loss for the season is an obvious hole left in the Braves’ lineup. A four-time All-Star, he’s been a major reason why the Braves remain dominant in the National League, owning the third-best record there at 30-20.
Acuña entered Sunday with a .246/.348/.356 slash line with four homers, 15 RBI and seven doubles over 48 games.
Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after striking out against the Chicago Cubs during the eighth inning at Wrigley Field on May 23, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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Last season, Acuña led the National League in hits (217), runs scored (149), stolen bases (73), on-base percentage (.416) and OPS (1.012) as he captured his first career MVP.
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