The Atlanta Braves successfully snapped a two-game skid and avoided a sweep to the Pittsburgh Pirates with an 8-1 win Sunday, but may have lost Ronald Acuña Jr. for a yet to be determined amount of time. Acuña left Sunday’s game in the first inning after his left knee appeared to collapse on an attempted steal. He crumpled to the ground in pain. He was helped to his feet by the Braves’ training staff and ultimately walked off the field with a noticeable limp.
Following the game, Acuña told reporters that he didn’t think the injury was as serious as the torn ACL that he suffered in his right knee in 2021. He compared it to the sprained knee that he suffered in Boston during his rookie season when he ran across first base awkwardly. However, the news wasn’t good as an MRI exam Sunday night revealed a complete tear of his left ACL. He will miss the remainder of the season.
OF Ronald Acuña Jr. tonight underwent an MRI that revealed a complete tear of the ACL in his left knee. He is set to undergo surgery at a date yet to be determined and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 27, 2024
Acuña hasn’t been able to duplicate the MVP numbers of a year ago two months into the season, but he is still a difficult player for the Braves to replace. Adam Duvall moved to right field Sunday with Jarred Kelenic taking over in left. The Braves will likely call up Forrest Wall from Gwinnett Monday to take Acuña’s spot on the roster.
While Acuña is headed to the injured list, the Braves are hoping to get two key pieces back Monday. Both Austin Riley and Sean Murphy are expected to return. Riley has missed the last two weeks due to tightness in his left side while Murphy has been on the injured list since Opening Day due to an oblique strain.
