For the Braves, the 2025 season has been particularly tumultuous. Before Ronald Acuna Jr’s comeback, the team’s performance in the first half of the season was a mixed bag, with a 24-25 record. Since his electrifying return on May 23, however, the Braves’ fortunes have surprisingly soured further. Despite Acuna’s individual brilliance, they have stumbled to a 15-25 record in that span. And, to add to their woes, the glimmer of hope Acuna brought with himself is now shrouded in uncertainty.

The Atlanta Braves dropped a sudden and worrying update less than an hour before their game against the Oakland Athletics. The team announced that Acuna was a late scratch from the lineup. An official statement further explained the situation.

“OF Ronald Acuña Jr. was scratched from tonight’s lineup due to low back tightness,” the statement read. Subsequently, Eli White was put into right field, with Jurickson Profar going in the leadoff spot in Acuna’s place.

This injury could not have come at a worse time for Acuna. The 2025 MLB All-Star Game will be held in Atlanta’s Truist Park for the first time since 2000 and it was supposed to be a grand celebration for the city and its brightest star. Fans voted Acuña a starting right fielder after his amazing comeback, an honor that he appreciated greatly. He credited the fans tearfully: “Without them, I’m not here… They’re really the ones who made this dream come true.” But now that picture-perfect storybook of a hometown coronation hangs by the thinnest of threads.

This incident is particularly alarming because of Acuna’s past struggles with injuries.

Acuna Jr: A career etched in scars

At the age of 27, Acuna’s medical record is quite extensive. His difficult journey with injuries began in May 2018 with a mild ACL sprain, but the first serious setback came on July 10, 2021, when he had a full ACL tear, which put an end to his season.

In 2022, after a tough return, he suffered a blow again on May 26, 2024. It was a non-contact injury that resulted in a full ACL tear in his other knee. A history of major lower-body injuries makes his back quite vulnerable.

Acuna’s performance since his return this season only highlights what’s at stake. In 40 games, he has put up a fantastic.331 average with 9 home runs and a 1.011 OPS. Also, he has played perfect defense in the right field, with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage and with two outfield assists. This MVP-level play has been the only constant bright spot for a struggling Braves team. And, that is why his injury at this delicate time concerns the fanbase.

This is, however, just the latest in a series of issues that are part of a bigger, more serious picture for the Atlanta Braves. Their pitching staff has been hit hard by multiple injuries in recent weeks. They are without their best four starting pitchers now.

Chris Sale (fractured rib cage) and Spencer Schwellenbach (fractured elbow) have joined the 60-day injured list, while Reynaldo López and AJ Smith-Shawver are already sidelined with long-term injuries. It has left the team’s rotation in a state of total disarray as the results have spiraled further downward.

The Braves have now lost eight out of their last ten games. This recent losing streak puts them at a season-worst 11 games under .500. During this stretch, the offense has been particularly abysmal, only managing to score a meager 26 runs.

The absence of production lately has intensified the burden on Acuna. Now, his absence, even for a short time, will be deeply felt on the field.