Ronald Acuña Jr. exits early after scary hit-by-pitch sequence vs. Nationals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Braves held their breath Monday night when Ronald Acuña Jr. was forced out of the game after being hit by a pitch twice against the Washington Nationals. Acuña was plunked earlier in the game by Nationals starter Jake Irvin, but the real concern came in the sixth inning when another fastball struck him on the left wrist/hand area. He stayed in briefly to run the bases but did not return to the field, with Eli White taking over in right.
The moment quickly escalated tensions, as Bryce Elder hit a Nationals batter in the following half-inning, leading to warnings for both dugouts.
Ronald Acuña Jr.'s been hit twice in this game by Washington starter Jake Irvin, and the boos after the second one are making Nationals Park sound like TruistTrainer George Poulis is out to look at Acuña, who stays in the game. Irvin's night is over. pic.twitter.com/I0bVgRVcjg
— Lindsay Crosby, big baseball guy (@CrosbyBaseball) April 21, 2026
The initial fear was obvious given where the pitch landed, but Atlanta avoided a worst-case outcome. X-rays came back negative, and Acuña is currently listed as day-to-day. Even so, wrist and hand injuries can linger, especially for hitters. The Braves will likely take a cautious approach over the next few days.
The Braves slugger is struggled at times to start the 2026 season. Through 22 games, he’s hitting .247 with 1 home run, 5 RBIs, and a .715 OPS, but he has been getting on base at big times for the club.
He’s also shown signs of heating up recently, reaching base in multiple games and putting together competitive at-bats even when the power hasn’t fully arrived yet.
That’s what makes this situation worth watching. Acuña doesn’t need to be at peak MVP level to impact games. His presence alone changes how opposing pitchers approach the Braves' lineup.
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For now, the Braves appear to have avoided a serious injury. But after a night where their franchise cornerstone was hit twice, the focus shifts to recovery and how his wrist responds in the coming days.
If Acuña is back quickly, this becomes a brief scare. If not, Atlanta will have to navigate a stretch without one of baseball’s most dynamic players, even if only temporarily.
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