Just six pitches into the game today the Atlanta Braves were hit with a significant blow. Reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. had to exit the game after appearing to tweak his left knee in an attempt to go to third base.
Ronald immediately went down and was rolling around in pain for quite some time. Thankfully, he was eventually able to limp off the field under his own power.
Ronald Acuña Jr. has left today’s game after a non-contact injury on the basepaths
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 26, 2024
(via @BravesOnBally)
pic.twitter.com/2MEPS7U9OR
Braves superstar exits game in Pittsburgh
It's no secret that Ronald hasn't performed to his previous season MVP level yet this year. However, Ronald was starting to turn the page lately. It was even apparent in this game as he hit the second pitch of the game for a double with a 105.9 exit velocity.
We'll await news on the severity of the injury, but the good news is that it appeared to be the left knee that was hurting. Which of course is NOT the knee he had surgically repaired during the 2021 season.
Ronald has played in 49 of the Braves 50 games thus far in 2024. He has a .250/351/.365 slash line, 109 wRC+, and 1.2 fWAR via Fangraphs.
Atlanta has sent out veteran Adam Duvall to take Acuña's place for the remainder of the game this afternoon. If Ronald is out for any extended period of time, Duvall figures to play everyday in right, and Kelenic will play everyday in left field.
On the season Duvall has a .208/.311/.351 slash line and three home runs, with most of his damage coming against left-handed pitching. For now, all we can do is hope the best for the Braves star right fielder. Stay tuned here at House That Hank Built for the latest updates as they come in on superstar Ronald Acuña Jr.