Braves Place Ronald Acuna on Injured List With Achilles Inflammation
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Atlanta Braves put five-time All-Star Ronald Acuña Jr. on the 10-day injured list with right Achilles tendon inflammation Wednesday, though the exact severity of the injury to the slugging outfielder may not be known until additional testing is done.
The Braves recalled outfielder Jarred Kelenic from Triple-A Gwinnett to take his place on the roster.
Acuña first experienced discomfort in his calf area Monday night, when he scored from first on Austin Riley’s double to help the Braves to a 10-7 victory over Kansas City. Acuña lobbied to play on Tuesday night and Braves manager Brian Snitker assented, only for Acuña to come up limping while trying to chase down a ball in right field in an eventual 9-6 loss.
“It happened when I scored from first to home on that play,” Acuña explained after the game, speaking through an interpreter. “They are going to examine me (Wednesday) so we’ll see how it goes.”
Even after he came up limping, Acuña wanted to remain in the game. He headed out to his position in the field but saw Eli White trotting out to replace him. That Acuña was able to jog into the dugout at least generated some optimism that the injury to the Achilles tendon was not a complete tear and he could be back this season.
“I was kind of out there hoping they wouldn’t hit it my way and of course any time you do that, they always hit it your way,” Acuña said. “I told them (about the pain Monday) and everyone said: ‘Take the day if you want it. You can have the day off.’ I’ve missed so much time already through injuries I didn’t want to miss any more time.”