Current:Home > NewsAtlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr., 2023 NL MVP, out for season with torn ACL -DollarDynamic
Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr., 2023 NL MVP, out for season with torn ACL
View
Date:2025-04-25 21:13:31
For the second time in four seasons, Ronald Acuña Jr., one of baseball's most dynamic players and the reigning National League MVP, will undergo season-ending reconstructive knee surgery.
Acuña suffered a torn left anterior cruciate ligament Sunday when he twisted awkwardly while changing directions on the basepaths, the Atlanta Braves announced after a review of MRI results.
Acuña, 26, told reporters he didn't believe he'd torn his ACL during the baserunning mishap in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Acuña would know: In July 2021, he was on his way to an MVP season when he tore his right ACL, ending his season.
The Braves would backfill his position by acquiring three outfielders before the trade deadline and went on to win the 2021 World Series. Acuña climbed the victory platform that night in Houston but could only spectate, and he still wasn't fully recovered when he returned in 2022.
Last year, though, it all came together for one of the game's ultimate five-tool talents. Acuña put up an unprecedented 41-homer, 73-steal season — taking advantage of liberal rule changes for basestealers — and led the major leagues in on-base percentage (.416) and hits (212) and the NL in OPS (1.012).
Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.
But after leading off the game with a double on Sunday, Acuña feinted toward third as if he might attempt a delayed steal, then twisted and tried returning to second. He sprawled on the infield dirt at PNC Park and was tagged out by Pirates starter Martín Pérez.
Results of the MRI confirmed the Braves' worst suspicions.
Acuña's injury is the second huge season-ending blow for the six-time NL East champions. Ace Spencer Strider underwent reconstructive Tommy John surgery on his elbow and will miss most of next season, too.
Acuña should return before Strider in 2025 - but it's no less bitter a blow for a club that once again has World Series aspirations.
veryGood! (552)
Related
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Meet the postal worker, 90, who has no plans to retire and 'turn into a couch potato'
- Grand Canyon, nation’s largest Christian university, says it’s appealing ‘ridiculous’ federal fine
- Officials investigate cause of Atlantic City Boardwalk fire that damaged facade of Resorts casino
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- AP PHOTOS: Singapore gives the world a peek into our food future
- AP Week in Pictures: Latin America and Caribbean
- Native American advocates seek clear plan for addressing missing and murdered cases
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- Trial of ex-officer Brett Hankison in Breonna Taylor death ends with hung jury: What's next
Ranking
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Texas jury convicts woman of fatally shooting cyclist Anna “Mo” Wilson in jealous rage
- Judge declares mistrial after jury deadlocks in trial of ex-officer in deadly Breonna Taylor raid
- 11 ex-police officers get 50 years in prison for massacre near U.S. border in Mexico
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- As Georgia looks to court-ordered redistricting, not only Republicans are in peril
- Ohio man sentenced to nearly 5 years in prison for attacks on police during Capitol riot
- PG&E bills will go up by more than $32 per month next year in part to pay for wildfire protections
Recommendation
'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
Climate change in Texas science textbooks causes divisions on state’s education board
Buying a Rivian R1T electric pickup truck was a miserable experience.
General Motors becomes 1st of Detroit automakers to seal deal with UAW members
Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
Climate change is hastening the demise of Pacific Northwest forests
Were Latin musicians snubbed by the Grammys? Maybe. But they're winning in other ways
Texas jury convicts woman of fatally shooting cyclist Anna “Mo” Wilson in jealous rage