Ronald Acuna Jr.’s Injury Concerns Braves as Playoffs Approach

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., a former MVP, suffered an apparent injury during Tuesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds. The incident occurred in the third inning when Acuna fouled a ball off his left leg. He collapsed and crawled to the grass along the first base line, where he spent over a minute with the team’s trainer and manager, Walt Weiss. Eventually, Acuna managed to walk off the field unassisted.

Outfielder Brewer Hicklen stepped in to replace Acuna. The timing of Acuna’s injury creates additional stress for the Braves, as they are currently fighting for a first-round bye in the postseason. If Acuna’s absence extends, the Braves might face the Wild Card round without his presence.

Concerns about Acuna’s injury history weigh heavily on the team. This season alone, he has sustained two leg injuries. In 2025, Acuna missed time due to Achilles inflammation after recovering from a long-term knee injury.

Acuna’s Performance in 2026

Despite a slow start to the year, Acuna has achieved respectable numbers. With just a week remaining, he has hit 20 home runs, brought in 55 RBIs, and maintains a .814 OPS over 104 games. This is the most games he has played since his impressive 40/70 season in 2023.

While his .814 OPS falls short of last year’s .934, Acuna has shown improvement after initial struggles. By April, he recorded a .724 OPS and then faced a hamstring strain in early May that put him on the IL. Upon returning, Acuna’s performance surged to a 1.056 OPS in May but declined in subsequent months, staying below league average during June, July, and August.

September brought a turnaround, with Acuna hitting seven home runs, achieving 19 RBIs, and posting a 1.087 OPS. The Braves hope Acuna’s setback is minor, as his contribution is crucial for their postseason ambitions, especially as they prepare for a potential Wild Card series against talented opponents.