Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. (hand) day-to-day after HBP

Field Level Media|published: Mon 20th April, 21:57 2026

Jun 12, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) watches from the dugout in the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was hit by two pitches Monday night, and the second one prompted him to leave the game against the host Washington Nationals.

The Braves later announced that X-rays performed on Acuna came back negative and he is considered day-to-day.

Acuna was on the receiving end of two four-seam fastballs from Washington starter Jake Irvin. He was hit in the left arm, near an elbow guard. Acuna was later picked off first base.

In the sixth inning, Irvin's pitch nailed Acuna in the left hand, and Acuna jumped out of the batter's box in pain, appearing to look back at the pitcher as he prepared to take his base. Irvin was removed from the game by manager Blake Butera after the pitch.

Acuna stayed in and came around to score during a five-run Atlanta inning, but in the bottom half of the frame, Eli White replaced Acuna in right field.

Acuna, the 2023 National League MVP, was limited to 49 games in 2024 and 95 in 2025 after tearing his left ACL in May 2024 and the ensuing recovery.

The Braves went on to win the Monday contest 9-4 in the opener of a four-game series.

--Field Level Media

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