Ronald Acuña Jr.'s promising season has come to an abrupt end after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during the Atlanta Braves' game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. The injury is a major setback for both the player and the team, who were counting on Acuña's dynamic play to help them compete for a World Series title.
Ronald Acuña Jr.'s season has been cut short once again due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. The Atlanta Braves outfielder suffered the injury during the team's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, dashing hopes of a strong finish to the season.
Acuña underwent an MRI on Monday, which confirmed the extent of the injury. He will require surgery, which is expected to take place later this week. The recovery time for an ACL tear is typically 9-12 months, meaning Acuña will miss the remainder of the 2023 season.
This is the second time Acuña has torn his ACL. He previously suffered the same injury in July 2021, which ended his season prematurely. The 24-year-old has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, having also missed significant time in 2022 due to a torn meniscus.
The Braves are understandably devastated by the news. Acuña is one of the most talented players in baseball, and his absence will be a major blow to the team's chances of success.
"This is a tough loss for us," said Braves manager Brian Snitker. "Ronald is a special player, and we're going to miss him out there. But we know he's a tough kid, and he'll be back stronger than ever next year."
Acuña is also disappointed to miss the rest of the season, but he is determined to come back even better in 2024.
"I'm obviously disappointed, but I'm going to focus on getting healthy and coming back stronger than ever," Acuña said. "I appreciate all the support from my teammates, coaches, and fans. I'll be back soon."
The Braves will now have to adjust their plans without Acuña. The team is still in contention for a playoff spot, but they will need to find a way to replace his production.
"We're going to have to find a way to pick up the slack," Snitker said. "We have a lot of talented players on this team, and I'm confident we can still make a run at the playoffs."
Acuña's injury is a major setback for the Braves, but the team remains optimistic about the future. With a young and talented roster, the Braves believe they can still compete for a World Series title.
"We're not going to give up on this season," Snitker said. "We're still in the race, and we believe we can win it all."
