Ronald Acuña Jr. Exits Game With Injury Amid Postseason Push

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., a former MVP, left the game against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. The incident occurred when Acuña fouled a ball off his left leg during the third inning. Clearly in distress, he collapsed and crawled to the grass near the first-base line, where he consulted with the team’s trainer and manager, Walt Weiss, for more than a minute. Ultimately, Acuña managed to walk off the field on his own.

Brewer Hicklen stepped in to replace Acuña. This injury comes at a crucial time for the Braves, who are currently aiming for a first-round bye in the postseason. Should Acuña miss significant playing time, the Braves might have to enter the Wild Card round without their star player.

Acuña’s history of injuries adds to the concern. Earlier this season, he sustained two leg injuries. In 2025, he dealt with Achilles inflammation after recovering from a long-term knee injury. Given Acuña’s importance to the team, the Braves are hoping his latest injury is not severe.

How Has Ronald Acuña Performed This Year?

Acuña, after a slow start, has been delivering satisfactory numbers with the season nearing its end. He boasts 20 home runs, 55 RBIs, and an OPS of .814 over 104 games. This is the highest number of games he has played since his remarkable 40/70 season in 2023. While his .814 OPS falls short of last year’s .934, Acuña has shown strength during certain periods.

He began the season with a .724 OPS through April and dealt with a hamstring strain in early May. Following this, Acuña returned strong in May, achieving a 1.056 OPS. However, he struggled from June through August, performing below league average. In September, he rebounded, hitting seven home runs and recording 19 RBIs with a 1.087 OPS.

The Braves are keenly aware of Acuña’s value for the postseason and are optimistic that his injury is minor. With a potential Wild Card series against highly competitive teams on the horizon, they need him back at his best.