Braves season turns from bad to disaster with latest Ronald Acuna news
Just hours before Tuesday’s game against the Athletics, the Atlanta Braves made an announcement that likely deflated their already struggling clubhouse. Star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was pulled from the lineup with lower back tightness, a concerning development for a team desperately in need of momentum.
Acuna had only recently returned to form after a grueling rehab from his second ACL tear in three years. He missed most of the 2024 season after injuring his left knee last May, and fans had been holding their breath with every step since he rejoined the roster in 2025.
The timing couldn’t have been worse.
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Eli White got the nod in right field, but the Braves couldn’t recover from the sudden change. They were hammered by the Athletics in a 10-1 loss that highlighted just how fragile the team’s situation has become.
What This Means for the Braves
Now sitting at 39-51 and well behind in the National League wild-card race, Atlanta may have to make some hard decisions. With the trade deadline approaching, missing Acuna, even for a short stretch, could be the tipping point for a front office already weighing whether to become sellers.
Through 40 games this season, Acuña has looked every bit the MVP candidate he was in 2023. He’s batting .331 with a 1.011 OPS, nine home runs, 18 RBIs, and four stolen bases. Those numbers tell the story of a player who’s still among the league’s most dangerous threats when healthy.
But that’s the key phrase: when healthy.
If this back issue lingers, it won’t just hurt the Braves' playoff hopes. It could shift the team’s direction entirely.
Atlanta now faces the tough reality of their franchise cornerstone dealing with yet another setback. Whether it’s minor or turns into something more will be one of the big questions heading into the next few weeks.
For now, the Braves are hoping this is just a brief pause, not the beginning of another long road back.
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