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The Atlanta Braves are holding their breath as star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is dealing with a thumb issue.
Acuña, 28, was slow to enter the field during the fifth inning of the Braves’ 9-3 win over the Marlins on Thursday, later exiting and getting replaced by outfielder Eli White.
Video from the broadcast showed Acuña outside of the dugout pointing at his left thumb to Atlanta medical staff. It appeared as if it were a struggle for him to close his hand before taking the field.
Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuna, right, has his finger looked at during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Miami. AP Photo/Lynne SladkyThe Braves then announced on X that Acuña left the game with “pain in his left thumb.”
X-rays on the 2023 NL MVP’s thumb came back negative, with Acuña being designated as day-to-day, according to The Athletic.
Acuña has already missed time this year, being placed on the injured list at the beginning of May due to a hamstring strain.
He wound up sidelined for roughly two weeks, with Tuesday’s game against the Marlins being his first game back since he suffered his injury on May 2.
Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves runs to first after hitting an RBI single during the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on May 21, 2026 in Miami, Florida. Getty ImagesWhile on the field, Acuña has experienced a slow start compared to previous years, posting a modest slash line of .252/.364/.378 with just two home runs through 36 games.
“He just hasn’t found that consistency where he gets rolling, but it will be loud when he does… He’s getting really close,” Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters in April. “Our offense has been really good, and we can dream big if Ronald gets rolling, it will be fun to watch.”
Injuries have plagued Acuña’s career since his 2023 campaign, playing in 95 games last year and just 49 games in 2024.
The five-time All-Star tore his ACL in May 2024, causing him to miss the remainder of the season, along with the start of 2025.
Acuña dealt with Achilles tightness during the 2025 season, causing him to miss roughly three weeks at the start of August.
The Braves sit atop the NL East with a 35-16 record following Thursday’s win.
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