Atlanta Braves fans mostly had cause to celebrate on Monday evening as the offense exploded against the Nationals, turning a close game into another romp of a win. However, one dark cloud lingered over the game as Ronald Acuña Jr. was forced to leave early after being hit by a pitch for the second time.
Given that Acuña Jr. got plunked twice, there was quite a bit of speculation that Nationals starter Jake Irvin had actual intent to hit him. While most of the accounts from the game seem to indicate that both pitches were accidents, that it was only Acuña Jr. when Irvin all of a sudden had the ball slip out of his hand two separate times was pretty fishy. As Braves manager Walt Weiss put it after the game, "One time, it happens. But a couple times, that’s a tough one.”
Whether or not there was intent, all eyes were on Acuña Jr.'s health after the game, which is certainly understandable given the Braves' injury luck in recent years. Thankfully, there was (mostly) really good news when it was revealed that Acuña Jr.'s X-rays were negative, and there seems to be no long-term concern.
Ronald Acuña Jr. left the game after being hit by a pitch for the second time, then in the bottom of the inning Bryce Elder plunked CJ Abrams in the ass pic.twitter.com/90lAdvOfnl
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 21, 2026
Ronald Acuña Jr. seemingly dodges serious injury after HBP scare
Now, the real test will be how Acuña Jr. feels on Tuesday and if there is any increased swelling that could warrant further testing. At the moment, there are no plans for Acuña Jr. to get an MRI, and that is a good sign, but crazier things have happened. That said, Weiss gave his clear assessment in comments to the media after the game when he said, "X-rays were negative. He’s going to be fine.”
Assuming that Acuña Jr. is just sore and everything is going to be fine, that doesn't mean that he won't miss a game or two. Weiss noted that there was a good bit of swelling in Acuña Jr.'s hand shortly after the HBP, which was why he was pulled from the game in the first place. Even if Acuña Jr. is just dealing with a welt and bruising, that could make playing the field and swinging a bat tough.
Knowing Acuña Jr., he will lobby hard to be back in the lineup and punish Washington himself. Given how much time he has missed in recent years, Acuña Jr. is not a guy who is itching to get games off. However, fans shouldn't panic if Weiss does keep him out for a game or two, although some concern is fair until Acuña Jr. is back in the lineup and playing well.
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