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The absence of key players due to injury can significantly impact the quality of any sport, and baseball is no exception. On Sunday, baseball fans received disheartening news as the Atlanta Braves announced that their star outfielder, Ronald Acuna Jr., would miss the remainder of the 2024 season due to a torn ACL in his left knee.
Acuna’s absence is particularly felt as he has not been performing at his usual stellar level this season. Following his National League MVP win the previous year, Acuna’s statistics have seen a notable decline, with a batting average of .250, an on-base percentage of .351, and a slugging percentage of .365, along with four home runs and 16 stolen bases. These numbers are a stark contrast to his remarkable performance in the previous season, where he amassed 41 home runs, 73 stolen bases, and an impressive 1.012 OPS.
Unfortunately, injuries have been a recurring theme throughout Acuna’s young career, casting a shadow over his undeniable talent. He has battled various ailments nearly every season, resulting in only two campaigns where he played in more than 119 games. The ACL tear he suffered in 2024 marks the second time in his seven-year career that he has had a season prematurely ended due to this injury.
Acuna’s absence is deeply felt not only by the Braves but also by baseball enthusiasts worldwide. His exceptional blend of power and speed makes him one of the most captivating players to watch, whether he’s at bat or on the basepaths. Losing him to a season-ending injury represents a significant setback for the Braves in their 2024 campaign and adds another unfortunate chapter to Acuna’s injury-plagued career.
Ronald Acuna Jr.’s injury history
Ronald Acuna Jr.’s career has been punctuated by a series of injuries that have tested his resilience and impacted his playing time since his rookie season in 2018. Despite his undeniable talent, these injuries have disrupted his momentum and sidelined him for significant stretches, leaving fans and the Atlanta Braves concerned about his health and durability.
In May 2018, during his rookie season, Acuna suffered a mild ACL sprain and contusion in his left knee, which sidelined him for just over a month. However, upon his return, he went on a tear, ultimately winning the Rookie of the Year award despite being limited to 111 games.
Throughout the 2019 season, Acuna battled through various injuries, including a back injury in May and a collision with Phillies shortstop Jean Seguar in July, resulting in neck stiffness. Despite these setbacks, he continued to showcase his resilience and dedication to the game.
In 2020, Acuna faced additional challenges as he dealt with a wrist injury in August, followed by a hamstring injury at the end of the month. Despite these setbacks, he remained determined to contribute to his team’s success.
The 2021 season brought more injury woes for Acuna, including an abdominal injury in April, a contusion on his left pinky and an ankle injury in May, and pectoral tightness and back injuries in June and July, respectively. However, the most devastating blow came in July when he tore his right ACL while attempting a leaping catch in the outfield, prematurely ending his season.
After a lengthy rehabilitation process, Acuna returned to the field in April 2022, only to face a groin injury and a quad injury in quick succession in May. Throughout the remainder of the season, he dealt with knee, foot, and elbow injuries, further highlighting the challenges he has faced in maintaining his health and performance on the field.
In May 2024, Acuna suffered a devastating blow when he tore the ACL in his left knee for the second time in his career, ending his season after just 49 games. This injury marked a significant setback for Acuna and underscored the fragility of his knees, raising concerns about his long-term health and ability to bounce back from such setbacks.
Despite the adversity he has faced, Acuna’s resilience and determination remain evident, and fans and teammates alike are hopeful for his swift recovery and return to the field.