Ronald Acuña Jr. Faces Injury Setback: Braves Star on IL with Achilles Tightness as Atlanta Struggles This Season

The Atlanta Braves faced another setback when outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. had to leave the game against the Kansas City Royals due to tightness in his right Achilles. This injury forced him onto the injured list the next day, listed as “tendon inflammation.” This season marks Acuña’s return after recovering from an ACL tear, and he had played 55 games.

Acuña reported that the pain started during the previous game. He left in the sixth inning after trying to catch a foul ball and a double. Despite his injury, he managed to walk off the field on his own, which offers a glimmer of hope as severe Achilles issues usually make walking difficult.

Before his exit, Acuña hadn’t managed a hit, pulling his batting average to .306 with 14 home runs. He hasn’t stolen many bases this season—just four—compared to the impressive 73 during his MVP season. This cautious approach is likely due to his recent return from injury.

The Braves’ roster is feeling the impact of injuries. Their entire Opening Day starting rotation is now on the 60-day injured list, and losing Acuña is another challenge for a team struggling with a 45-61 record this season. They are not expected to rush Acuña back, especially with the season’s struggles.

As the trade deadline nears, Atlanta might look to offload some players. They’ve already lost key players, including Alex Verdugo, who was released earlier this month. With the call-up of Jarred Kelenic, who has not performed well in Triple-A, the Braves find themselves low on depth in the outfield. Their best options may now fall to utility player Eli White.

Injuries have become a common theme for the team this season, igniting discussions among fans and analysts alike. According to a recent ESPN survey, 60% of baseball fans feel that injuries significantly affect team performance each season. As the Braves navigate these hurdles, the focus will be on a careful recovery for Acuña and a potential shift in strategies to salvage the rest of the season.

For further details on player injuries and updates, you can visit [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/mlb/injuries).

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