- The Washington Times - Sunday, July 11, 2021

With a win, the Atlanta Braves reached .500 again — within sight of the National League-leading New York Mets. But the Braves suffered a momentous loss all the same Saturday night.

Atlanta’s All-Star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. suffered a complete tear of the ACL in his right knee, the team announced late Saturday, after Acuna landed awkwardly as he chased down a sharp fly ball during the fifth inning of the Braves’ 5-4 win against the Miami Marlins.

Acuna required a cart to take him off the field. During the postgame availability — before results of Acuna’s MRI revealed the need for season-ending surgery — manager Brian Snitker was apprehensive for the 23-year-old star, but he didn’t expect news until Sunday. The verdict arrived more quickly than that.

“The kid was in pain, and Lord knows what goes on in somebody’s head when they have an injury like that,” Snitker said, via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Everybody is concerned about Ron.”

Acuna was set to make his third All-Star appearance, but the San Diego Padres announced third baseman Manny Machado would replace him on the National League’s roster. Acuna has hit .283 with 24 home runs and 52 RBIs this season, continuing the strong performances he’s put up throughout his career.

Over 111 games in 2018, Acuna was named the National League Rookie of the Year. His .596 slugging percentage and .990 on-base-plus-slugging percentage are the highest marks of his career, but his year will be cut short.

Acuna tried to walk his way to the dugout, but near the infield he required a cart, tears in his eyes.

“You never like to see one of your teammates come up injured after trying to make a great play,” Braves pitcher Max Fried said, via ESPN. “It’s obviously very unfortunate, but you have to stay with the task at hand and finish the game.”

After Acuna came up short and injured his knee in right field, the ball bounced off the wall. Marlins infielder Jazz Chisolm didn’t realize how severe Acuna’s injury was until he crossed home plate on his inside-the-park homer.

“A guy like that, him getting injured, the baseball world is going to miss him if he’s out for a long time,” Chisholm said, per AP. “Hopefully he gets better.”

 

• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.

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