Braves Place Acuña on Injured List With Left Hamstring Strain

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring after an MRI confirmed the injury on Wednesday. Acuña came up limping after an awkward stride while trying to beat a throw at first base during the fourth inning of Tuesday's game against the Chicago White Sox.

Braves manager Walt Weiss stated the injury is a Grade 1 strain. "Grade 1, so it's not terrible, but enough where we had to IL him," Weiss said. "We'd be waiting around a while, playing short-handed if we were waiting for it to heal.

Acuña had a brief stint on the injured list last month after suffering a Grade 1 strain in the same hamstring. "I don't think it's as severe as the last one, but still going to need some time," Weiss said. 793 OPS, seven home runs and 15 stolen bases in 52 games this season.

A bone bruise on his left thumb has also hampered him during the season's opening months. His 2021 season ended due to a torn ACL in his right knee that required surgery. In 2024 he suffered a season-ending ACL tear in his left knee that also required surgery.

In between those injuries, Acuña won National League MVP honors in 2023 when he hit 41 home runs, scored 149 runs and stole 73 bases, becoming the first 40/70 player in MLB history. The Braves called up infielder Rowdy Tellez and designated right-hander Jhancarlos Lara for assignment.

The team also selected James Karinchak to the big league roster and designated right-hander Carlos Carrasco for assignment.

The Braves recalled right-hander JR Ritchie and placed reliever Tyler Kinley on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Monday, with right elbow inflammation.