Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. sustained an apparent left knee injury during the first inning of Sunday’s game against the host Pittsburgh Pirates.

Acuna, the reigning National League MVP, led off the game with a double to right-center field off Pirates left-hander Martin Perez.

Acuna made a move toward third base with Marcell Ozuna at bat and fell awkwardly to the ground. He remained on the ground for several minutes before slowly limping off the field.

The Braves announced shortly thereafter that he was being removed from the game due to left knee soreness. Jarred Kelenic replaced him in the lineup.

Entering Sunday’s game, Acuna was batting .246 with four home runs and 15 RBIs in 48 games this season. He tweaked his right knee during a rundown in spring training, and he torn his right ACL during the 2021 campaign.

The first player in MLB history to accomplish a 40-home run, 70-steal season, Acuna is a .289 hitter with 165 homers and 417 RBIs in 721 career games. He’s a four-time All-Star and was the unanimous NL MVP in 2023.

–Field Level Media