The Atlanta Braves caught a case of the “Sunday Scaries” this weekend. Ronald Acuña Jr., the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 2023, went down with what looked like a brutal and devastating injury.
Acuña Jr. went down with a non-contact injury during the Braves’ matchup vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.
Acuña hurt himself in non-contact fashion, which caused many around the MLB world to panic.
2023 NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. exits after suffering a non-contact injury to his left knee. pic.twitter.com/3zuMVjIN26
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 26, 2024
Fortunately, it seems like Acuña is doing okay. After the game, the 2023 NL MVP addressed reporters and seemed to calm any nerves about the situation.
He explained that the discomfort he felt was more like the discomfort he felt back in 2018, and less like when he missed significant time a few years ago. Mark Bowman posted that “he wouldn’t be surprised if he misses a month.”
Acuña says the discomfort is more like he felt in 2018. He wouldn’t be surprised if he misses a month.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) May 26, 2024
The Braves are in a competitive NL East, with the Philadelphia Philies leading the charge. If Atlanta is without Acuña for even a month, it might prove difficult. But the Braves have talent everywhere. And even if it’s just a month, that’s better than the worst-case scenario.
The MLB world had much to say on the update about Ronald Acuña Jr.
I was thinking 4-6 weeks feels like a best case scenario. And if that’s all it is, let him rest and heal and maybe regular playing time will be good for Kelenic and Duvall. https://t.co/K3XTwpI7F3
— colleen (@cmmcguire) May 26, 2024
Any games without Acuna https://t.co/53sPG3mfL7 pic.twitter.com/uKRHo6Xp7W
— The Welsh (@IsItTheWelsh) May 26, 2024
Ronald Acuña Jr. hyperextended his left knee trying to leg out an infield hit on May 27, 2018, when he crossed 1B awkwardly.
We’ll know more following a full battery of tests, but if that is indeed the worst-case scenario here, it’s still a bullet dodged.
Expect an IL stint. https://t.co/7rlktZBen4
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) May 26, 2024
I hope everyone enjoyed an established superstar going for a ton of SB while it lasted https://t.co/PyhB6wRuRS
— nugget chef (@jayhaykid) May 26, 2024
