Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. Hit Twice by Pitches, Leaves Game; X-rays Negative

MLB · By Marcus Chen · April 21, 2026
Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. Hit Twice by Pitches, Leaves Game; X-rays Negative

Ronald Acuña Jr., the electrifying outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, was forced to exit the game after being struck by pitches twice on Sunday night. The early departure of one of baseball's biggest stars sent a ripple of concern through Braves fans and the wider MLB community.

The incident occurred during the Braves' matchup, when Acuña was hit by pitches in two separate plate appearances. Details on the exact location of the hits were not immediately clear, but the impact was significant enough that the Braves elected to remove Acuña from the game for further evaluation.

After the game, the team announced that Acuña underwent X-rays, which returned negative results. The Braves described his status as "day to day," offering some relief to those worried about a potential long-term injury to their reigning MVP. No further specifics about the areas affected were released, but the results suggest Acuña avoided major fractures or breaks.

  • Acuña has been an essential part of the Braves' early season success, leading the team in multiple offensive categories.
  • The Braves' outfield depth will be tested if Acuña misses any time, with potential call-ups or lineup shuffling needed.
  • The team has not indicated whether disciplinary action or further review on the hit-by-pitch incidents is expected from MLB.

The impact of Acuña's health extends beyond Atlanta, as his dynamic play and star power have made him one of the faces of Major League Baseball. His status will be closely monitored in the coming days as the Braves determine when he can safely return to action.

Sources

  1. [1]ESPN MLB