Fresh off his first MVP award and his fourth All-Star selection, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. He suffered an ACL tear against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 26. This marks Acuña’s second ACL tear in the past four years; the first occurred in the middle of the 2021 season.
During a delayed steal attempt in the first inning, Acuña collapsed between second and third base. He was clutching his knee with noticeable pain on his face. In fact, it was the same knee he injured in 2021… Fans in Pittsburgh looked on as he was helped off the field by the training staff. A mid-game MRI later confirmed an ACL tear.
Acuña’s Account of Events
Initially, Acuña didn’t think the injury was severe, saying his knee hurt much less than it did in 2021. However, following the team’s announcement after the game, Acuña took to X. He posted, “Sorry,” followed by a broken heart and crying face emoji.
Photo Cred: Justin Berl/Getty Images
“Sometimes you gotta lose yourself to find yourself, and I think that’s how I’m trying to approach this thing,” Acuña said. “I just want to take everything in stride and who knows, maybe I can come back and win another MVP.” He spoke through his interpreter, Franco Garcia, in a press conference a few days after the injury.
What He Means to the Braves
Regarded as one of the best players in the game, Acuña’s injury comes as a huge loss to Atlanta. They already lost pitching ace Spencer Strider to Tommy John Surgery at the beginning of the season. Since he joined the team, the Braves have not missed the postseason. They lost in the NLDS in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023. They lost in the 2020 NLCS but then beat the Houston Astros to win the 2021 World Series. Notably, he did not participate in the rest of the Braves’ World Series-winning campaign because of his first ACL injury. At just 26 years old, Acuña has helped turn the franchise into one of the best in the game.
Acuña’s Impact in the League Already
Since joining the league in 2018, he has made an instant mark already. He was the 2018 NL Rookie of the Year, and his efforts led the Braves to a 90-win season. His career stats underscore his status as one of the top players in the league. He has a .289 career batting average, 165 homers, and 417 RBIs. Over his seven years in the league, he has a 139 OPS+, indicating he has performed 39% better than the average player. His 196 stolen bases rank ninth among all active players.
Photo Cred: FOX 5 Atlanta
Acuña led the NL in seven categories during his seven years, including OPS (1.012 in 2023) and runs (127 in 2019). He led all of MLB in five categories, all during his 2023 MVP season. After only playing 119 games in 2022, Acuña played in 159 of Atlanta’s 162 games in 2023. He batted .337/.416/.596 with 41 home runs, 106 RBIs, 73 stolen bases. His walk-to-strikeout ratio (BB/K) was 80 to 84, one of the best ratios last year. He became the first player in history to reach the 40/70 mark, helping him win the MVP award unanimously.
The 2024 Season So Far for Acuña
Like other big names in the game, Acuña started the season slowly. At the time of his injury, the Braves were 10 games above .500 and in second place in the NL East behind the Philadelphia Phillies. Acuña had a batting average of .250 in 49 games, with just four HRs and 53 strikeouts. He also wasn’t playing like his usual self on the field, committing two errors.
Photo Cred: MLB.com
Acuña says he has received an overwhelming amount of support from his family and fans. There is no timeline for his return yet. Based on the timing of the injury and the recovery period from his last knee injury, speculation suggests he could be ready for Opening Day in 2025.
How to Replace Him
With this injury in mind, the Braves may look to the free-agent market for an outfielder. They faced a similar situation in 2021, acquiring names like Adam Duvall and Eddie Rosario at the trade deadline. Most of the available players are on the older side or inexperienced, however. Among the top options remaining are AJ Pollock (36), recently released Avisail Garcia (33), and Aaron Hicks (34). While all three have 10 or more seasons in the MLB, their recent performance levels vary.
Pollock had a career-worst batting average of .165 in 2023 with the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants. Garcia, who signed a four-year, $53 million contract in 2022, was released on June 9th. His Miami Marlins tenure was not his best, with career-worst batting averages of .224 and .185 in 2022 and 2023 respectively. His one-base percentage (OBP) has been below .300 only once before 2022-24. Meanwhile, Hicks was released by the Los Angeles Angels about a month ago. He sported a career-worst .140 average and .222 OBP at the time. His slugging percentage was below .200 for the first time in his career.
Photo Cred: MLB.com
According to Bleacher Report, outfield candidates such as Tommy Pham, Michael Conforto, and Harrison Bader could be attractive trade candidates. As for in-house options, J.P. Martinez was called up on May 27, so he will get the first chance to shore up the OF depth. Forrest Wall (28) should be next on the list, and the Braves also have 33-year-old Leury Garcia on their Triple-A team.
A New Concern for the Braves
Yesterday, outfielder Michael Harris II went on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. This injury introduces a new outfielder for the Braves to consider alongside Acuña’s absence. Ramon Laureano, recently released by the Cleveland Guardians, signed with Atlanta on May 29. He has been brought up from the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers. According to reports, Snitker said Harris does not have a clear timeline for return. While Acuña’s injury may not have necessitated adding an outfielder, losing both him and Harris might compel the Braves to make a move now.
