Ronald Acuna Jr. fouled a ball off his left foot during Saturday’s game, and the injury eventually forced the Braves star to leave the lineup. While x-rays were negative, Acuna told reporters (including ESPN’s Marly Rivera) today that a trip to the 10-day injured list is a possibility “because I can’t put any weight on my foot.” To this end, Acuna had to use a scooter to get around the clubhouse today, though he wasn’t wearing a protective boot.
The Braves don’t play on Monday, so the team might take an extra 48 hours to evaluate Acuna to see if an IL stint is indeed necessary. However, it is probably likely that the Braves play it safe and put Acuna on the injured list, given his health history and his import to Atlanta’s lineup.
It has been almost two full months since Acuna was activated from the injured list, after his right ACL tear prematurely ended his 2021 season last July. Acuna has hit .281/.372/.455 with seven home runs over 196 plate appearances in 2022 — well above-average numbers, though actually a step behind the MVP-level production Acuna generated in 2018-21. The Braves eased Acuna back into action with some DH days early in his return, though he has played his last 20 games in right field.
If Acuna does have to visit the IL, it will further hamper an Atlanta club that is already missing Ozzie Albies due to foot surgery. On the plus side, the Braves have been able to get by just fine without Albies, as they are baseball’s hottest team in June — Atlanta is 19-4 this month, heading into tonight’s game with the Dodgers. With Acuna out, the Braves could give Guillermo Heredia more playing time, or use Marcell Ozuna more as a corner outfielder than as a designated hitter.
You Can Put It In The Books
Mr. Glass
Can’t stay healthy. Wasted talent. Oh well!
signenderinciarte
Bravesfan59
no problem WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS WITHOUT HIM REMEMBER THAT
Dusty Baker's tooth pick.
This has to be bumgarner equals NLCS
getrealgone2
Mets choke job is gonna be hilarious.
Dusty Baker's tooth pick.
Yeah, same guy who predicted the braves would be eliminated by June lol. At least our favorite team has won something relevant in the past 30 years.
You Can Put It In The Books
Maybe Ronald can do his little “celebrations” on his scooter for the next 6-8 weeks.
JAMES JACOBSEN
He will rest again during Monday’s off-day and possibly return to Atlanta’s lineup on Tuesday
You Can Put It In The Books
@JAMES
Nope, he’s sitting today. Somebody give the kid some bubble wrap so he can get back out there!
User 401527550
The Mets have the fourth easiest schedule left in baseball with the games two best pitchers about to return. The braves just played their easiest part of the schedule. Good luck.
VonPurpleHayes
The Mets and Braves have so many games left against each other. Whoever wins that series takes the division.
Patrick Schroeder
Please, no more Ozuna in the OF!
inkstainedscribe
Rosario just started a rehab assignment. Doubt he would be activated before RAJ was out for 10 days, but reinforcements are on the way.
Cap & Crunch
Woof , fantastic series (that you knew would go 2-1) ruined by injs the last 2 days
I get the feeling most NL teams just want to get thru the next 3 weeks till the break in one piece than focus on the standings . Been a tough week for injs in the NL
NL has a spicy chance to have all Divs be a tight race come Sept
j_butte
Nooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!
miggywrld
Travis Demeritte szn
Dorothy_Mantooth
Red Sox are also 19-4 in June so far; just saying.
fox471 Dave
Of course, no one asked since the discussion is about the NL.
VonPurpleHayes
It’s clear that the offensive teams came alive as the weather warmed. Yankees, Braves, Red Sox, Phillies…all these teams had monster Junes because the bats woke up.
Braves Butt-Head
Drew waters could get the call
getrealgone2
He improve on the strike outs?
Mystery Team
So x-rays are negative no breaks no tears nothing structurally wrong oh and no boot yet he can’t put any pressure on it and needs a little scooter to get around and thinks he’ll need the 10 day IL. Yup he’s soft. My man if there’s nothing other than soreness you’re dealing with then toughen up and take your off day Monday and get back in the lineup on Tuesday and shut up.
getrealgone2
What do you do for a living?
Dusty Baker's tooth pick.
Or, you know, there not taking any chances because of how much value he has for the team. If it was his choice he would probably be out there. But he just came off a MAJOR injury. Why take the chance of messing something up worse. I get that if me and you tried to pull that situation in our jobs we’d probably get fired, but, we are just joe schmos, the working man. We could be replaced a lot easier and a lot cheaper.
Joeyg2033
My point exactly. If Bryce Harper has the same injury, you can pencil him in the line up. Bank on it. That’s what separates elite players (Acuna)from mvp type players in Harper.
Fred McGriff HR
@Joeyg2033
Remind me when Harper tore his ACL and returned to playing.
Lloyd Emerson
If that same pitch had been fouled off of Mystery Team’s foot he’d still be crying like a baby.
JAMES JACOBSEN
On Braves website. He will rest again during Monday’s off-day and possibly return to Atlanta’s lineup on Tuesday
You Can Put It In The Books
Nope – sitting today and stayed back in Atlanta for treatment. Likely IL stint coming. Braves better stock up on bubble wrap and heart medicine.
ham77
This has been a tough season for the brightest stars in the game. Yet somehow Aaron Judge hasn’t been injured yet.
Joeyg2033
Just great! Huge Braves fan with Diamond Club tickets to Tuesday nights game…and Acuna won’t be playing. No Harper. No Acuna. The only difference being that if Harper had the foot injury,his arse would be in the lineup. Bank on it.
Holy Cow!
You just wanted to brag about Diamond Club, whatever that is.
forklift1
You guys remember that time Kingman got picked off in Cincinnati to end the game?
forklift1
A lot of people think Todd Hundley never got a fair shake in LA
mushelbyman
just a gut feeling, why not switch Freddie Freeman for Matt Olsen?? it’s obvious Freddie wants to be a Brave!
UWPSUPERFAN77
In a perfect world!
mushelbyman
Freddie for Matt…Matt from the Atlanta area but sure both would facilitate a trade
You Can Put It In The Books
Ronald should try doing the Lebron “silencer” celebration in his scooter.
UWPSUPERFAN77
Hope Ronald Accuna does not become the Paul Molitor of the Brewers. Just injured all the time, resulting in becoming a broken-down DH! If he did he would still be a HOF,but not as great as he could have been!
Terry B
Injuries happen, it’s just part of the game unfortunately! Next man up!
whocaresaboutRBI
Who are the 2 best pitchers in the game that are about to come back to NY? One has basically been out for 2 seasons and the other isn’t anywhere close to top 2 in the game fwiw.
holycowdude
i’m no Mets fan….but he’s talking about DeGrom and Scherzer.
You Can Put It In The Books
DeGrom’s been out for 1 season you hyperbolic numbskull
Motown is My Town
This guy is always getting hurt (almost as much as Harper, Springer & Trout) and right in the middle of the week wh/ really messes up my fantasy teams lineup. My fault in having him as my “keeper” so I’ll know better for next year.
VonPurpleHayes
(almost as much as Harper, Springer & Trout)
Not all these names belong together.
Motown is My Town
Why not ? Those 3 players are among the most injury prone in baseball and Acuna is just about right there with them…. That’s why I’ve lumped them together Einstein!
TradeAcuna
Hopefully, Swanson continues to play well and become a superstar. Clearly, the Braves have none since Freeman left. Too bad the Braves still can’t beat the Dodgers. Good for Freeman though making the right decision.