Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. has had an up-and-down season this year. Now in his ninth big-league season, the 28-year-old superstar has continued to perform at an elite level and has been especially dominant in the month of September.
Across 103 games, Acuña has posted a .260 batting average, .352 on-base percentage, .816 OPS, 20 home runs and 55 RBIs.
His numbers are down slightly in comparison to years past when he was a National League MVP candidate, but he remains a huge impact player in the Braves lineup. Atlanta has already punched their ticket to the MLB playoffs and clinched their seventh division title in the past nine years, and Acuña has been a major reason why.
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Unfortunately, Acuña departed from Tuesday’s series opener against the Cincinnati Reds in the bottom of the third inning. He fouled a ball off his left leg and immediately went down in pain.
After a brief discussion with trainers and manager Walt Weiss, Acuña was lifted from the game with backup outfielder Brewer Hicklen entering in his place. Moments later, the Braves had the first update on his status.
“OF Ronald Acuña Jr. left tonight’s game due to a left shin contusion. X-rays were negative and he is day-to-day,” the team wrote on X.
Given how close the Braves are to the playoffs and the fact that the final games this week do not mean much with Atlanta essentially locked in as the No. 3 seed, keeping Acuña healthy is the priority.
Ronald Acuña Jr.’s Injury History Has Braves Fans Holding Their Breath
This is not the first injury setback to appear for Acuña in 2026, and it is not even the first lower body issue. Acuña has a long history of lower body problems in both knees, and this year he missed plenty of time dealing with a recurring left hamstring strain that placed him on the injured list twice.
The hope is that this is not the same issue resurfacing. Weiss will likely have more updates on Acuña after the game, but the Braves cannot afford to lose him heading into October.
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