The loss of Acuña for the rest of the year is a devastating blow for one of the game’s emerging superstars. Acuña was set to make his second career All-Star start after a stellar first three months of the season. Entering Saturday’s game, the 23-year-old was batting .281/.392/.593 with 24 home runs and 16 stolen bases. He leads the majors with 71 runs scored.
Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr., sits injured on the field after trying to make a catch on an inside the park home run hit by Miami Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 10, 2021, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)AP
The Atlanta Braves’ worst fears after Ronald Acuña Jr.’s injury have been realized.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the outfielder’s right knee injury is a season-ender. He tweeted
Running to his left toward the right-field line, he leaped for a ball that was sailing just over his head. He didn’t catch it and planted both feet awkwardly and stumbled to the ground. He tried to get up and limp off the field but was unable to keep weight on his leg. He appeared to be in considerable pain as trainers drove him off the field on a cart.
Acuña was scheduled to start the All-Star Game for the National League, Tuesday in Colorado. The Atlanta leadoff hitter had a .281 batting average with 24 home runs and 52 RBIs entering the game. His .985 OPS ranks fourth in the majors this season.
Manny Machado will replace him in the All-Star game.
The Braves are currently in second place in the National League East.
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Days before the All-Star break, the Braves’ disappointing season took a cruel turn for the worse.
Right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. left the game after injuring his right knee while attempting to make a leaping grab near the wall. He immediately fell to the ground in pain and did not attempt to retrieve the ball. After the game, the Braves announced that an MRI revealed a complete tear of the ACL, and that Acuña would undergo season-ending surgery.
“Atlanta star Ronald Acuña Jr. has a torn ACL in his right knee and will miss the rest of the 2021 season. He’s expected to be out for 9-10 months.”
Acuña had to be carted off the field after landing awkwardly attempting to chase down a fly ball at LoanDepot Park in Miami in Atlanta’s game with the Marlins on Saturday.
