Luisangel Acuña Injury Update: Mets rookie forced out of Venezuelan Winter League game after painful HBP scare

New York Mets infielder Luisangel Acuna took a hit on his left forearm while playing for the Cardenales de Lara in a Venezuelan Winter League game on Friday. He left the game after the hit, which the Cardenales won 11-5 against the Tiburones de La Guaira.

In the fourth inning, Acuna faced off against Tirburones' pitcher Eduardo Paredes. He got plunked by a high fastball while attempting to move away from the pitch's trajectory. Acuna was grimacing in pain as he paced around holding his arm, before dropping to the ground as the trainers immediately rushed to tend to him.

Acuna's hit by pitch sparked a rally for the Cardenales, who were trailing 5-2 in the innings, and ended up with a 6-5 lead by the end of the innings. They scored five more runs, including another four-run inning in the ninth.

Acuna hadn't had the best of winter outings till that point. He was hitting at .208 with two home runs, four doubles, and 10 RBIs in 17 games, a big difference from his .337 campaign last year with the same team in 30 games. It has followed a disappointing year for the Mets in 2025, where he hit just .234 with eight RBIs, unable to go yard in 193 plate appearances.

Ronald Acuna Jr.'s brother had announced his arrival to the major leagues in 2024, hitting at .308 with three home runs and six RBIs in 14 games in September with a .966 OPS. He also increased their infield depth during last year's postseason when they reached the National League Championship Series.

The 23-year-old had a promising start this year, batting at .313 on May 4; however, a .153 spell in the next 53 at-bats signalled his demotion to Triple-A Syracuse Mets. In 28 games with Syracuse, Acuna showed his potential, scoring at .303 with 10 RBIs.

Luisangel Acuna prime target for a trade

The Mets currently have a plethora of options in their diamond. Aside from Jeff McNeil, who has been rumored to be on the way out on a trade before his contract year, the Mets have Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, and Ronny Mauricio's services for 2026. With the team likely to re-sign Pete Alonso at first base, it seems to be tough for someone like Luisangel Acuna to get regular time.

This could mean the Mets trading him for some support in the pitching department. Acuna is yet to develop his power game, but has shown significant potential in baserunning, having stolen 16 bases in 17 attempts in 2025. He also recorded five Defensive Runs Saved in a short time span for the team at second base.

Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy