Atlanta Braves All-Star Ronald Acuña Jr. left Tuesday's game against the Kansas City Royals with Achilles tightness and will be placed on the injured list.
The Braves announced his diagnosis shortly after his exit in the middle of the sixth inning. After the game, manager Brian Snitker told reporters that Acuña would be placed on the 10-day injured list. He was seen in a walking boot after the game.
Acuña left the game with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Kansas City's Vinnie Pasquantino hit a fly ball to deep right-centerfield that Acuña couldn't reach. It bounced off the warning track and over the fence for a ground-rule RBI double that extended Kansas City's lead to 9-3.
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Acuña jogged from his spot in the outfield then left to the Braves clubhouse with a trainer with one out remaining in the inning. Shortly after his exit, the Braves announced that Acuña was dealing with tightness in his right Achilles tendon.
The Royals held on for a 9-6 win.
It's not clear exactly when or how Acuña sustained his injury or if the tightness was the result of cumulative wear. Per multiple reports from the game, Acuña showed signs of discomfort prior to the play that preceded his exit.
The injury is the latest in a stellar career that's been plagued by leg injuries. Acuña has twice sustained ACL tears in his left knee — once in 2021 and again in 2024. In between, he won the 2023 MVP while leading the National League in hits, runs scored, stolen bases and on-base percentage.
Injuries have limited Acuña to 82 games or fewer in three of his full seven MLB seasons. He missed the first 49 games of this season while recovering from his ACL tear sustained in 2024.
Despite his injuries, Acuña has been named an All-Star in five of his seven MLB seasons as one of the most versatile and gifted offensive players in baseball. He was named Rookie of the Year in one of the two years he wasn't named an All-Star.
Acuña and the Braves are certainly hoping that his latest setback won't require an extended stay on the injured list. With the 45-61 Braves 12.5 games out of the wild-card race as of the conclusion of Tuesday's game, their should be little motivation to rush him back.
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