Ronald Acuña Jr., the star outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, sustained a left knee injury during the first inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 26, 2024. The injury occurred while he was attempting to steal third base. Acuña is confident that he did not tear his anterior cruciate ligament but compares the discomfort to what he felt in 2018 when he sprained his left ACL. He is expected to undergo an MRI exam and will likely be placed on the 10-day injured list.
The Braves suffered another injury during the game when Joey Bart, catcher for the Pirates, sustained an injury to his left thumb while catching a ball in the second inning. Martin Perez, pitcher for the Braves, also sustained a left groin injury while covering first base in the third inning.
The Braves went on to win the game 8-1 with strong performances from Chris Sale and Matt Olson. However, Acuña's injury cast a shadow over their victory.
Acuña had previously injured his left knee as a rookie in 2018 when he hyperextended it while tumbling crossing first base against the Boston Red Sox. That injury resulted in a minor sprain and contusion of his left ACL.
The Braves are no strangers to injuries, having lost several key players throughout the season. Acuña's injury is a significant blow as he was leading the team in batting average (.325) and on-base percentage (.418) at the time of his injury.
The Pirates also suffered injuries during the game, with Joey Bart sustaining an injury to his left thumb and Martin Perez suffering a left groin injury.
Despite these setbacks, both teams will look to bounce back in their next games. The Braves will face the Red Sox, while the Pirates take on the Marlins.