The Atlanta Braves’ difficult 2025 season took another blow Tuesday night when Ronald Acuña Jr. exited the team’s 9–6 loss to the Kansas City Royals with tightness in his right Achilles. On Wednesday, the club placed the reigning National League MVP on the injured list with what has been diagnosed as a Grade 1 calf strain.
It’s yet another setback for both Acuña and a Braves team already battered by injuries and inconsistency.
Injury Timeline and Diagnosis
Acuña, 27, appeared in his 55th game of the season on Tuesday — his first full campaign since returning from a second ACL tear last year. According to MLB.com, he began feeling discomfort in his Achilles during Monday’s series opener against Kansas City but attempted to play through it.
He left Tuesday’s game in the sixth inning after chasing a pair of hits into the outfield gaps. Though he was able to walk off under his own power, he later appeared in the clubhouse wearing a walking boot. The Braves confirmed that Acuña will undergo further evaluation this week but emphasized that the injury is considered mild.
Roster Impact
In a corresponding move, outfielder Jarred Kelenic has been recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett. Once a top prospect, Kelenic has struggled to find consistency, hitting .217/.289/.322 in the minors this year. With Acuña sidelined and little depth available, Atlanta may have to rely on Eli White or shuffle utility players into the outfield.
The move comes less than two weeks after the Braves released Alex Verdugo, who had appeared in 56 games earlier this season.
Acuña’s Season So Far
Before leaving Tuesday’s game, Acuña went 0-for-2 with a walk, lowering his season slash line slightly to .306/.429/.577 with 14 home runs and four stolen bases. The limited baserunning is a far cry from his record-breaking 73 steals during his 2023 MVP campaign, though his cautious approach is understandable following two major knee injuries.
Braves’ Struggles Continue
Atlanta’s injury woes have defined the season. All five members of the team’s Opening Day starting rotation — Grant Holmes, Reynaldo López, Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, and AJ Smith-Shawver — remain on the 60-day injured list.
Now without their best position player, the Braves’ path to contention appears all but closed. Tuesday’s loss dropped them to 45–61, placing them 13 games behind the final National League wild-card spot.
With the trade deadline approaching on Thursday, league insiders expect the Braves to explore deals for complementary veterans rather than push for short-term reinforcements.
Outlook
Given the team’s record and Acuña’s injury history, the Braves are expected to take a conservative approach to his recovery. “There’s no reason to rush him back,” one team source said. “The focus now is long-term health, not standings.”
As Atlanta limps toward the season’s final stretch, Acuña’s absence only deepens the sense of loss for a team that, just two years ago, looked like a dynasty in full bloom.
