SAD NEWS: Brian Snitker Confirms Major Seback as the Braves Loss Another Key PLayer…

For the second time in his MLB career, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. has suffered a torn ACL, dealing a significant blow to the team’s lineup.

Acuna’s Second ACL Injury

The 2023 NL MVP tore his left ACL earlier this week while attempting to steal third base during a win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. This comes two years after Acuna tore his right ACL in 2021.

When asked if he felt “unlucky” following this latest injury, Acuna offered a candid response, as reported by Barrett Sallee of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. His surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday.

Performance Before the Injury

Acuna, 26, was having a challenging season before the injury, slashing .250/.351/.365 with four home runs and 15 RBIs over 222 plate appearances. Despite his struggles, his absence will be deeply felt by the Braves, given his potential and previous contributions.

History of Overcoming Acuna’s Absence

Interestingly, the Braves won the World Series in 2021 after Acuna’s first ACL tear. He had played 82 games before going down, and the Braves finished the season 88-73, eventually defeating the Houston Astros in the World Series.

However, the 2024 Braves team faces a different scenario. Unlike the 2021 squad, this year’s lineup has struggled offensively. Outside of Marcell Ozuna, who boasts a .994 OPS, many of Atlanta’s regular hitters have underperformed. Four regular players have an OPS below .700, and only catcher Travis d’Arnaud has an OPS above .800 among the starters. Even Matt Olson, who led the league with 54 home runs and 139 RBIs last year, has posted a modest slash line of .237/.324/.434 this season.

Current Standings and Challenges

These offensive woes have impacted the Braves’ standings, leaving them six games behind the Philadelphia Phillies (four in the loss column) in the NL East. With a record of 31-22, the Braves remain in contention but face challenges not present during their 2023 regular season, when they won 104 games.

The absence of consistent hitters like Freddie Freeman, who was a cornerstone of the 2021 lineup, further complicates the Braves’ situation. While Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies remain on the roster, their performances in 2024 have been lackluster.

Hope for Improvement

Despite these setbacks, there’s optimism that Atlanta’s hitters, including Olson, Riley, and Albies, will return to their career norms as the season progresses. In the meantime, the Braves can rely on their strong starting pitching to stay competitive.

Acuna, who has a lifetime slash line of .289/.379/.525, had the best season of his career in 2023, hitting .337/.416/.596 with 41 home runs and 106 RBIs, and leading the league with 73 stolen bases. Originally signed by the Braves as an international free agent in 2014, Acuna made his MLB debut in 2018, immediately making an impact with a .293/.366/.552 slash line, 26 home runs, and 64 RBIs.

Looking Forward

While the Braves will undoubtedly miss Acuna’s presence, they have shown resilience in the past and have the pieces to navigate this challenging period. Fans will be hoping for a speedy recovery for Acuna and a return to form for the rest of the lineup as the season unfolds.