The Atlanta Braves’ hopes of making another deep playoff run in 2021 have suffered a major hit. The Braves’ All-Star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. has torn his ACL and is out of the season.
Acuna suffered the injury during Atlanta’s 5-4 win against the Miami Marlins over the weekend. The 23-year-old player was trying to make a catch in the fifth inning when he landed awkwardly and fell to the ground holding his right knee. He ended up being carted off the field.
On Sunday, Acuna had an MRI that showed the “complete tear of his right ACL”, according to the Braves. He is set to undergo surgery that will likely keep him out of action for this season and possibly the start of the 2022 MLB campaign.
Speaking with reporters after the news broke out, Acuna said that he will put “maximum effort to come back stronger than ever.”
“I think I’m a patient person, and I think that’s going to work in my favor,” he added. “Continue to work hard, trust the process of the rehab. Just continue to work hard. You get out what you put in.”
Ronald Acuna has been playing another great season for Atlanta, compiling a batting average of .283 while adding 24 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases in 82 games. He was recently selected to the All-Star game for the second time in his career.
The Braves, who made it to the NL Championship Series last season, are currently sitting third in NL East. They are four games behind the leading NY Mets and 0.5 games behind the second Philadelphia Phillies.
