Atlanta Braves Star Ronald Acuña Jr. To Miss Remainder Of Season With ACL Tear
The Atlanta Braves (30-20) received crushing news: reigning National League MVP Ronald Acuña, Jr. will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after tearing his ACL in a matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.
The Braves released a statement on Acuña's injury, revealing that an MRI scan of the MVP's left knee showed a fully torn ACL. Acuña will undergo surgery, according to the team's update.
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The Braves shared on X: "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."
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 26: Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves is attended to by a trainer and third base coach Matt Tuiasosopo #89 after falling to the ground with an apparent injury in the first inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 26, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
Ronald Acuña Jr. will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Acuña's non-contact injury occurred as he started with a lead on second base, pumping the brakes as he went for third and awkwardly bending his left knee. He left the game in the first inning after spending several minutes on the ground, eventually walking off the field unassisted. He previously tore his right ACL in 2021.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 26: 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. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
Acuña posted a message on his social media following the bombshell announcement, apologizing to Braves fans as they prepare to play 112 games this year without his production.
Last season, Ronald Acuña's elite numbers helped the Braves reach 104 wins. He tallied 41 home runs, adding 73 stolen bases. This season, Acuña maintained a lead in stolen bases, racking up 16 coming into Sunday's contest against the Pirates. The reigning MVP's production had been falling short of expectations, but his contributions on offense will still be missed by Braves Country. Acuña slashed 246/.348/.356, adding four home runs and 15 RBIs in 48 games.
(Can the Braves win the NL East over the Phillies without Ronald Acuña, Jr.? Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com)
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