The Braves are facing another setback with star player Ronald Acuña Jr. headed to the 10-day injured list due to right Achilles tightness. He made an early exit during last night’s game against Kansas City. Reports from David O’Brien of The Athletic confirm that Acuña was seen in a walking boot after the game.
This injury comes as the Braves struggle through a rough season, sitting 16 games below .500. They’re expected to make significant trades, including Raisel Iglesias and Marcell Ozuna, in the coming days. Up until now, Acuña has been a bright spot, hitting .306 with 14 home runs in just 55 games after returning from his second ACL tear.
Unfortunately, Acuña’s injury won’t affect the Braves’ plans at the trade deadline. With their playoff hopes fading, they intended to deal their impending free agents anyway. The team will provide updates after Acuña undergoes further tests. There’s no reason to take chances with him right now, as he is a key player for the franchise and they want to avoid any more lower body issues.
With Acuña sidelined, Eli White stepped in to finish the game in right field. He is likely to see increased playing time. The Braves also have Jarred Kelenic and Carlos Rodríguez available as backup outfielders on the 40-man roster. Kelenic is currently batting .217 in Triple-A, while Rodríguez, who was a minor league free agent signing, has a .276 average over 82 games but has yet to make an MLB appearance.
Injuries like Acuña’s are a growing concern in sports. A 2023 report highlighted that over 40% of players experience similar issues throughout the season. This not only impacts team performance but also fan sentiment. Social media has been buzzing with fans expressing their frustrations and hopes for better health moving forward. The Braves will need to rally, even in a trying season, to keep spirits high.
For more detailed analysis on player injuries and team statistics, you can check out [this study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8201234/) on sports injuries and their long-term implications.
Source link
ronald acuna