Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. underwent an MRI on Sunday after sustaining a left knee injury in the first inning of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite leading his team to an 8-1 victory, Acuna later told reporters he expects to be placed on the 10-day injured list but does not believe he tore his ACL.
Acuna, who previously tore the ACL in his right knee on July 10, 2021, returned early in the 2022 season after a 9 1/2 month recovery. On Sunday, he started the game with a double to right-center field off Pirates left-hander Martin Perez. However, while attempting to steal third base, he fell awkwardly to the ground and remained there for several minutes before slowly limping off the field.
“I saw the catcher throwing the ball back to the pitcher very slow,” Acuna explained through an interpreter. “I was timing that so I could steal third. But in that moment, he threw it hard. So I had to come back, and that’s when I felt it.”
Acuna was replaced in the lineup by Jarred Kelenic. Braves manager Brian Snitker expressed his concern but emphasized the need to wait for the MRI results before determining the severity of Acuna’s injury.
“I don’t know how bad it is until we get it looked at,” Snitker said. “It’s very concerning. When he went down like that, you think the worst. But I don’t know until they get him looked at.”
This injury is not the first for Acuna’s left knee, as he sprained his left ACL in May 2018, which sidelined him for just over a month. Entering Sunday’s game, Acuna was batting .246 with four home runs and 15 RBIs in 48 games this season. He also tweaked his right knee during a rundown in spring training.
A formidable player, Acuna made history as the first MLB player to achieve a 40-home run, 70-steal season. He is a career .289 hitter with 165 home runs and 417 RBIs in 722 games. A four-time All-Star, Acuna was unanimously voted the National League MVP in 2023.
The Braves and their fans are hopeful for a speedy recovery for Acuna, whose presence on the field is a significant asset to the team’s success.