The Atlanta Braves got quite a scare ahead of the playoffs Tuesday night as star Ronald Acuna Jr. exited the Sept. 22 game against the Cincinnati Reds with what the team called a left shin contusion.
Acuna's night ended in the bottom of the third inning after he fouled a ball off his leg. He was in obvious pain as he was tended to by a trainer. He walked off the field under his own power.
The Braves said that X-rays came back negative and Acuna is considered day-to-day.
Ronald Acuña Jr. has left the game tonight after fouling a ball off his left leg pic.twitter.com/qGYJGX8xTr
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 23, 2026
Here is a look at the foul ball that hit Acuna between the shin guard and his left knee. He was in some pain, but got off the field under his own power pic.twitter.com/UofEhDBXpi
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) September 23, 2026
Acuna has been plagued by injuries since his 2023 MVP campaign, appearing in 49 games in 2024, 95 in 2025 and 104 this year. Despite the 28-year-old 5-time All-Star's hampered availability, the Braves managed to capture the NL East championship.
They will keep their fingers crossed and all eyes will be on Acuna's status as the Braves prepare for a likely wild card series.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ronald Acuna Jr. injury update: What we know as Braves star leaves game with shin contusion
