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Ronald Acuña Jr. exits early after scary hit-by-pitch sequence vs. Nationals
TL;DR
Ronald Acuña Jr. exited the game after being hit by a pitch twice, with a concerning hit to his left wrist. X-rays were negative, and he is currently day-to-day.
Key points
- Ronald Acuña Jr. hit by a pitch twice in one game
- Significant impact to left wrist caused early exit
- X-rays returned negative for fractures
- Acuña is currently day-to-day
- Braves likely to take a cautious approach
Ronald Acuña Jr.Atlanta BravesWashington NationalsJake Irvin
Ronald Acuña Jr. exits early after scary hit-by-pitch sequence vs. Nationals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Braves held their breath Monday night when Ronald Acuña Jr. was forced out of the game after being hit by a pitch twice against the Washington Nationals. Acuña was plunked earlier in the game by Nationals starter Jake Irvin, but the real concern came in the sixth inning when another fastball struck him on the left wrist/hand area. He stayed in briefly to run the bases but did not return to the field, with Eli White taking over in right.
The moment quickly escalated tensions, as Bryce Elder hit a Nationals batter in the following half-inning, leading to warnings for both dugouts.
Braves get encouraging update
The initial fear was obvious given where the pitch landed, but Atlanta avoided a worst-case outcome. X-rays came back negative, and Acuña is currently listed as day-to-day. Even so, wrist and hand injuries can linger, especially for hitters. The Braves will likely take a cautious approach over the next few days.
Acuñaâs production makes any absence noticeable
The Braves slugger is struggled at times to start the 2026 season. Through 22 games, heâs hitting .247 with 1 home run, 5 RBIs, and a .715 OPS, but he has been getting on base at big times for the club.
Heâs also shown signs of heating up recently, reaching base in multiple games and putting together competitive at-bats even when the power hasnât fully arrived yet.
Q&A
What happened to Ronald Acuña Jr. during the game against the Nationals?
Ronald Acuña Jr. was hit by a pitch twice, with a significant impact to his left wrist, leading to his early exit from the game.
What were the results of Ronald Acuña Jr.'s X-rays after the injury?
The X-rays on Ronald Acuña Jr.'s wrist came back negative, indicating no fractures.
How will the Braves handle Ronald Acuña Jr.'s injury moving forward?
The Braves are expected to take a cautious approach with Acuña, who is currently listed as day-to-day.
