Atlanta Braves outfielder and former MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. exited Tuesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds due to an apparent injury. The incident occurred when Acuna fouled a ball off his left leg during the third inning. He fell to the ground, crawling to the grass along the first base line. After spending more than a minute consulting with the team’s trainer and manager Walt Weiss, Acuna managed to stand and walked off the field on his own.

Outfielder Brewer Hicklen replaced Acuna in the lineup. The timing of Acuna’s injury is unfortunate, given the Braves’ current battle for a first-round bye in the postseason. If Acuna is sidelined for an extended period, the team may face the Wild Card round without their former MVP.

Acuna’s susceptibility to injuries is a concern, as he has already experienced two leg injuries this season. In 2025, he missed time due to Achilles inflammation following a long-term knee injury. The Braves hope that this injury is not severe, as Acuna remains a vital asset, even during a challenging year like 2026.

How Has Ronald Acuna Performed This Year?

Acuna started the year slowly but has managed respectable numbers as the season nears its end. He has hit 20 home runs and driven in 55 runs with a .814 OPS across 104 games. This is the highest number of games he has played in a season since his remarkable 40/70 performance in 2023.

While his .814 OPS is lower than last year’s .934, Acuna’s season picked up after a sluggish March and April. He recorded a .724 OPS through April and spent time on the IL with a hamstring strain in early May. Upon returning, Acuna excelled with a 1.056 OPS in May. However, he experienced a slump over the subsequent months, batting below league average in June, July, and August.

Acuna regained his form in September, hitting seven home runs and driving in 19 runs with a 1.087 OPS. The Braves urgently need Acuna fit for the postseason and hope his injury is minor as they gear up for a Wild Card series against one of three highly skilled teams.