Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. may land back on IL

Jun 25, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) reacts during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Foot bruise may land Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. back on IL

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 6/26/22

Atlanta Braves All-Star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. missed the final 74 games of the 2021 regular season, and the Braves' World Series run after suffering a torn ACL last July.

Rehab from the injury forced Acuna to miss the first 19 games of the 2022 season. Acuna returned to the Braves lineup on April 28, but the 24-year-old may be headed back to the injured list.

On Friday, Acuna fouled a pitch off his left foot. He stayed in the game until being pulled in the ninth inning. However, Acuna was not in the lineup on Sunday.

This is the foul ball that bruised Acuña's foot. He played five more innings after this happened last night. With an offday tomorrow, he'll have a chance to rest for a couple days leading into the Phillies series. pic.twitter.com/QoIrk7AtHq
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) June 26, 2022

X-rays were negative on Acuna's foot, but he arrived at the clubhouse on Sunday with a scooter, unable to place pressure on his foot.

Acuna told the media he was unsure if he'll need to go on the IL and that he's considered day-to-day.

Ronald Acuña Jr. said his left foot is not fractured. But he can’t put pressure on it. He is using a scooter that keeps his left foot elevated. He’s not sure if it’ll become an injured list stint.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) June 26, 2022

"It's a feeling that reminds me of last year a little bit, just the frustration of not wanting to have to do anything related to rehab or rehab assignments or anything," Acuna said on Sunday. "I just want to be able to play every day. The frustration is not being able to play every single day."

Acuna is batting .281/.372/.455 with seven home runs and 18 RBIs with 13 stolen bases in 43 games this season.

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