The Atlanta Braves made an unfortunate Ronald Acuña Jr. announcement before Tuesday's game against the Athletics.
Braves Make Unfortunate Ronald Acuña Jr. Announcement Before Athletics Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Superstar right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is in his eighth major-league season, anchoring the Atlanta Braves’ lineup as one of baseball’s most electrifying talents.
Acuña immediately took the league by storm in 2018, capturing National League Rookie of the Year honors while batting .293 with 26 home runs, finishing 12th in MVP voting.
Since then, he’s established himself as a centerpiece of the franchise, earning four All-Star selections, three Silver Slugger Awards and the 2023 NL MVP. During that MVP campaign he led the majors with 217 hits, 73 steals and 149 runs, while becoming the first player in MLB history to join the 40–70 club.
He missed most of the 2024 season and the early weeks of 2025 while rehabbing a second ACL tear—this one in his left knee in May 2024—after originally tearing the ACL in his right knee in 2021.
Upon his return to Atlanta’s lineup in May, Acuña resumed MVP-caliber performance—though that momentum may now be interrupted.
On Tuesday, the Braves announced the 27-year-old superstar had been scratched from the lineup with lower back tightness, and Eli White will take his spot in right field.
OF Ronald Acuña Jr. was scratched from tonight’s lineup due to low back tightness.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 9, 2025
Updated lineup:
LF Profar
1B Olson
3B Riley
C Murphy
DH Ozuna
2B Albies
CF Fairchild
RF White
SS Allen
P Fuentes https://t.co/UVPPOGlDEW
If Acuña misses an extended stretch, it would represent a major setback for a Braves club currently slumping at 39–50 and 9.5 games out of a wild-card spot. With the trade deadline looming, Atlanta may look to sell key pieces and bolster a weak farm system.
Through 40 games this season, Acuña is hitting .331 with a 1.011 OPS, has smashed nine home runs, driven in 18 runs and swiped four bases.
Related: MLB Sends Ronald Acuña Jr. Message During Mets Game
Related: Braves-Mariners Ronald Acuña Jr. Trade Proposal Made by MLB Insider
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
