The current NL MVP, Ronald Acuña Jr., will be out for the remainder of the MLB season after suffering an ACL tear.
The 26-year-old right fielder kicked off the game with a double. While teammate Marcell Ozuna was up at bat, Acuña attempted to steal third base, but his leg gave out strangely. He was escorted off the field, and the team reported that his injury was "left knee pain".
"I noticed the catcher was tossing the ball back to the pitcher rather slowly," Acuña recounted to MLB.com. "I was using that to time my steal of third. However, he unexpectedly threw the ball hard, and I had to stop and that's when I felt it."
Acuña, who tore his right ACL in 2021, claimed after the game that this injury didn't seem as bad because he didn't experience the same level of pain.
"No one wants to see anyone hurt on either side of the field," Braves pitcher Chris Sale remarked after the game. "He's a major player on this team, he's one of the best in the business."
"Sorry", Acuña shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Sunday night beside a heartbroken emoji and crying emoticon.
The Braves ace will undergo surgery "at a later point", the team advised.
Acuña has been vital to the Braves' 30-20 record this season, with four home runs, 15 RBIs, and a .250 average. At present, the Braves rank second in the NL East, trailing the Philadelphia Phillies by six games.
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Despite the painful incident, Acuña expressed his concern for his opponents on social media, posting, "Sorry" alongside emojis of a broken heart and tears.
The Braves will miss the impactful presence of their MVP, Ronald Acuña Jr., as he prepares for surgery to repair his torn ACL, leaving his return uncertain.
Source: edition.cnn.com
