Ronald Acuña Jr. has been a significant reason why the Atlanta Braves are one of the best teams in baseball this season. Entering Sunday’s series finale against the Colorado Rockies, the Braves sit at 24-10, atop the National League East and boasting the best record in the majors.
After a torn ACL suffered in May 2024 limited him to a combined 144 games over the prior two seasons, the 28-year-old had played in all 34 of Atlanta’s games this year, looking more like the 2023 NL MVP. So far this season, he is slashing .252/.362/.378.
But his momentum came to a halt on Saturday night at Coors Field. In the second inning, facing Rockies pitcher Chase Dollander, Acuña hit a ground ball toward second. A few steps out of the batter’s box, he winced and grabbed at his left hamstring, limping and hopping on one foot about halfway to first base.
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He walked off the field with Braves manager Walt Weiss and trainer Jeff Stevenson, and the Braves sent him for an MRI.
On Sunday, the results came back and Atlanta announced it had placed Acuña on the 10-day injured list, with Weiss confirming hours later that he has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. In a corresponding move, the Braves selected the contract of outfielder José Azócar to the major league roster.
Azócar signed a contract with Atlanta earlier this year after electing free agency from the New York Mets, serving as organizational depth. The 29-year-old is a career .263 hitter with zero home runs and one RBI at the big-league level. While his numbers are decent, it still will be difficult replacing the kind of production Acuña brings to the team.
Acuña is a five-time All-Star and one of only three players in baseball history to post at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases.
The Braves will close out the series Sunday against the Rockies, with Spencer Strider expected to make his season debut after returning from an oblique injury. First pitch is at 3:10 p.m. ET. Atlanta then heads to Seattle for a three-game set against the Mariners on Monday.
