Every time Atlanta Braves fans ask themselves, "can this season get any worse?", the baseball universe answers resoundingly, "yes, it can." For Tuesday night's disaster, Braves fans not only had to watch the Royals push across five runs in the bottom of the sixth, they also had to watch their star, Ronald Acuña Jr. look incredibly uncomfortable running the outfield, and then get pulled from the game.
Brian Snitker pulled Acuña mid inning, and the club quickly announced that he had left the game with Achilles tightness. While the initial injury report is encouraging, Braves fans are holding their breath hoping that this injury won't have the face of the franchise missing too much time.
OF Ronald Acuña Jr. was removed from tonight’s game with right Achilles tightness.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 30, 2025
Ronald Acuña Jr. leaves Tuesday night's game against the Kansas City Royals
Right before the Brian Snitker pulled the trigger and had Eli White replace Acuña mid inning, the right fielder had looked uncomfortable chasing down two flyballs in the bottom of the sixth.
The first was a foul ball off the bat of Bobby Witt Jr. that the right fielder hobbled his way to and couldn't come up with. The second was a double off the wall that a Ronald Acuña Jr. that was 100% likely would have tracked down. After the double, Brian Snitker quickly pulled the plug and swapped Acuña for Eli White.
Considering Ronald Acuña Jr.'s injury history, it would make sense to be as cautious as possible. With Achilles tightness, it wouldn't be shocking if the Braves give him as much time as possible. This isn't the first injury the right fielder has dealt with, having missed a game towards the beginning of the month with back tightness.
While the Braves likely won't speak to the severity of this injury until after the game, the ititial diagnosis sounds promising, and will hopefully avoid an IL stint, though with the club selling at the deadline, there won't be an urgency to bring him back if he does wind up missing time.