Braves Face Another Setback as Acuña Heads to Injured List
In a tough blow for the Atlanta Braves, Ronald Acuña Jr. has been placed on the injured list due to right Achilles tightness after leaving last night’s game early against Kansas City. The announcement, made by the team, confirms what many feared: the former MVP is set for a 10-day stint on the IL. Observers noted that Acuña was seen in a walking boot after the game, signaling the gravity of the situation.
This latest injury adds to what has been a challenging season for the Braves. With a record sitting 16 games under .500, the team is in a tough spot, bound for potential trades as the deadline looms. Raisel Iglesias and Marcell Ozuna are among those who might be on their way out, and Acuña’s injury only emphasizes the difficulty of their current campaign. Since his return from a second ACL tear, Acuña has been a bright spot in the lineup, showcasing his talents with a solid slash line of .306/.429/.577, including 14 home runs across 55 games. Losing him now feels like a significant hit—not just to their offensive potential, but to the team’s morale.
The Braves are set to navigate through the rest of the season without Acuña, while still addressing their roster. With the playoff race seemingly out of reach, trading away impending free agents was already on the docket. Acuña’s name was never in play, given his stature as the face of the franchise—and rightfully so. The team is expected to release a timeline for his recovery after further testing in the next few days. There’s simply no reason to rush him back given the circumstances, especially when it comes to safeguarding his long-term health amid a disappointing season.
In terms of roster adjustments, Eli White stepped in to finish the game in right field and will likely see the majority of playing time moving forward. The Braves also have Jarred Kelenic and Carlos Rodríguez as depth options on the 40-man roster. Kelenic has struggled in Triple-A, batting only .217 and trending toward a non-tender. Meanwhile, Rodríguez, while a bit more consistent with a .276/.348/.347 line over 82 games in Triple-A, has yet to make his big league debut.
As the Braves tackle these challenges, it’s clear that they need to find a way to adapt and regroup. The loss of a star player like Acuña is always difficult, but it presents opportunities for other players to step up in this trying season.
