Blab Sports
Atlanta Braves Place Ronald Acuna Jr. on 10-Day Injured List
The Atlanta Braves’ bright July has taken a sharp turn as outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was placed on the 10‑day injured list (IL) on June 10, 2026, after a Grade 1 hamstring strain was confirmed by MRI.
The injury came in the fourth inning of the Braves’ Tuesday matchup against the Chicago White Sox. Acuña, who had just driven a ground ball toward first base, felt a sudden sharpness in his hamstring before reaching the bag and promptly left the field. The team’s medical staff noted the complaint during the game, and a subsequent MRI scan established the hamstring strain as a Grade 1 injury.
Acuña’s season had already been interrupted earlier in May. He spent 15 days on the IL from May 3 to May 18 with a hamstring strain, returned for 19 games, and posted an OPS of .794 in 195 at‑bats, with seven home runs and 22 RBIs. While the Braves had hoped the recent strain was minor enough to keep him on the roster, the imaging results forced a more cautious approach.
Over the past five seasons, Acuña has endured five lower‑body injuries, including torn anterior cruciate ligaments in both knees. The 2026 campaign has seen him miss significant time, but when healthy he remains a central contributor to a lineup that has been one of the most productive in Major League Baseball.
Manager Walt Weiss acknowledged the frustration of dealing with injuries. “It’s frustrating, for any athlete that gets injured. It’s all part of it. Unfortunately Ronald has had to deal with it more than his fair share,” he said.
To fill the outfield vacancy, the Braves activated Rowdy Tellez, who will start in center field for the upcoming series against the White Sox. The organization will monitor Acuña’s progress daily and will determine his return once he has cleared the requisite healing milestones.
The Braves entered the season with the best record in MLB, and Acuña’s absence is a significant blow to an offense that led the National League in runs scored last year. His average of more than 30 home runs per season underscores the potential dip in run production while he is sidelined.
The 10‑day IL designation is a standard roster tool that allows a team to remove an injured player from the 40‑man roster while a replacement is added. In Acuña’s case, the move frees up a roster spot for the Braves to bring in a healthy player for the duration of his recovery.
The organization’s depth in the outfield—featuring Austin Riley and Eddie Rosario—provides power and contact options, but the loss of Acuña’s elite bat and speed forces a recalibration of the lineup. Designated hitters Freddie Freeman and Omar Narvaez will also step into the void, but the overall offensive output may feel the impact.
With the Braves still in contention for the NL East title, the team’s next game is against the White Sox on Saturday, with Tellez slated to start in center. Acuña’s status remains uncertain, and the organization will evaluate his readiness as the season progresses.
In short, the Braves will keep Acuña on the 10‑day IL for the next ten days, with no projected return date announced. The team’s focus will be on maintaining offensive momentum, managing roster depth, and ensuring that Acuña’s recovery is handled with the care he deserves.
The injury came in the fourth inning of the Braves’ Tuesday matchup against the Chicago White Sox. Acuña, who had just driven a ground ball toward first base, felt a sudden sharpness in his hamstring before reaching the bag and promptly left the field. The team’s medical staff noted the complaint during the game, and a subsequent MRI scan established the hamstring strain as a Grade 1 injury.
Acuña’s season had already been interrupted earlier in May. He spent 15 days on the IL from May 3 to May 18 with a hamstring strain, returned for 19 games, and posted an OPS of .794 in 195 at‑bats, with seven home runs and 22 RBIs. While the Braves had hoped the recent strain was minor enough to keep him on the roster, the imaging results forced a more cautious approach.
Over the past five seasons, Acuña has endured five lower‑body injuries, including torn anterior cruciate ligaments in both knees. The 2026 campaign has seen him miss significant time, but when healthy he remains a central contributor to a lineup that has been one of the most productive in Major League Baseball.
Manager Walt Weiss acknowledged the frustration of dealing with injuries. “It’s frustrating, for any athlete that gets injured. It’s all part of it. Unfortunately Ronald has had to deal with it more than his fair share,” he said.
To fill the outfield vacancy, the Braves activated Rowdy Tellez, who will start in center field for the upcoming series against the White Sox. The organization will monitor Acuña’s progress daily and will determine his return once he has cleared the requisite healing milestones.
The Braves entered the season with the best record in MLB, and Acuña’s absence is a significant blow to an offense that led the National League in runs scored last year. His average of more than 30 home runs per season underscores the potential dip in run production while he is sidelined.
The 10‑day IL designation is a standard roster tool that allows a team to remove an injured player from the 40‑man roster while a replacement is added. In Acuña’s case, the move frees up a roster spot for the Braves to bring in a healthy player for the duration of his recovery.
The organization’s depth in the outfield—featuring Austin Riley and Eddie Rosario—provides power and contact options, but the loss of Acuña’s elite bat and speed forces a recalibration of the lineup. Designated hitters Freddie Freeman and Omar Narvaez will also step into the void, but the overall offensive output may feel the impact.
With the Braves still in contention for the NL East title, the team’s next game is against the White Sox on Saturday, with Tellez slated to start in center. Acuña’s status remains uncertain, and the organization will evaluate his readiness as the season progresses.
In short, the Braves will keep Acuña on the 10‑day IL for the next ten days, with no projected return date announced. The team’s focus will be on maintaining offensive momentum, managing roster depth, and ensuring that Acuña’s recovery is handled with the care he deserves.
