Ronald Acuña Jr. Lands on Injured List Again with Hamstring Strain

Ronald Acuña Jr. has found himself back on the injured list, a frustrating turn of events for the Atlanta Braves and their star outfielder. On Wednesday, June 10, the Braves announced Acuña would be placed on the 10-day IL due to a strained left hamstring, marking the second time this season that this same injury has sidelined him. The setback occurred during Tuesday night’s game against the White Sox, where Acuña exited after attempting to beat out a ground ball to third base, a play he once made look effortless.

The Braves had hoped that Acuña would avoid another stint on the injured list this time around. In fact, he had expressed optimism to reporters, stating he didn’t believe the injury was severe and felt no pain. However, prior to the series finale in Chicago that evening, it became clear that his return would have to wait.

Acuña’s injury history is becoming increasingly concerning, as he has faced multiple setbacks in recent seasons. A torn right ACL cut his 2021 season short, and a torn left ACL led to another early exit in 2024 after just 49 games. While he worked through rehabilitation, a calf strain in July limited him to only 95 games that season. Now, in 2026, he has already made two trips to the IL due to the same left hamstring issue, totaling five lower-body injuries over five seasons.

Despite this setback, the Braves are currently in a strong position. Michael Harris II is enjoying the best season of his career, boasting a .308 batting average with 13 home runs, which helps offset Acuña’s absence. However, beyond Harris, the team’s outfield depth is limited. Mike Yastrzemski is expected to fill a platoon role, while Eli White stepped in immediately after Acuña limped off the field on Tuesday night.

In a roster move to accommodate the injury, Rowdy Tellez was added to the team, with Jhancarlos Lara designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

When healthy, Acuña has demonstrated his elite talent. In 2023, during his last full season, he made history by becoming the first player to achieve a 40/70 season, hitting 41 home runs, scoring 149 runs, and stealing 73 bases. This year, he has posted a .253 batting average with a .380 on-base percentage and a .441 slugging percentage, contributing seven home runs and 12 stolen bases over 53 games played.

As the Braves head into Wednesday’s games, they hold the best record in baseball at 45-22, showcasing their resilience even in the face of Acuña’s ongoing injury struggles.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.