Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (26, Atlanta Braves), who is running first in the major league stealing category (15), was hit by the ball again. Following on from being hit by a pitcher’s ball three days earlier, he was struck and knocked down this time by his own foul batted ball.
Acuña started as the first hitter and right fielder in the away game against the Miami Marlins in the 2023 Major League Baseball held at Londipo Park in Miami, Florida, USA on the 5th (Korean time), 1 hit in 3 at-bats, 1 RBI, 1 run, 1 walk, 1 base. He led Atlanta to a 6-3 victory.
Acuña, who opened the fire with a timely hit with one RBI in the third inning, succeeded in stealing second base. Season 15 stolen base. The National League (NL) first place in this category widened the gap with second place Bae Ji-hwan (Pittsburgh Pirates, 13) by two. Bae Ji-hwan failed to add a stolen base as he went 0-hit in 3 at-bats against the Tampa Bay Rays that day.
However, Acuña suffered an injury in the 4th at-bat in the 6th inning. He fouled the first pitch with 2 out and 1 base in the 6th inning and was hit on the inside of his left knee. Acuña, who collapsed from the shock, cried out in excruciating pain as she lay on her face.
He was in pain for over a minute, but was not replaced. Acuña, who got up from his seat and continued batting, struck out on a swing after four pitches. He then went to right field defense in the 6th inning and handled John Bertie’s batted ball, but was replaced by great defense Sam Hilliard in the 7th inning. The Atlanta club said it was a replacement for protection.
According to local media such as the Associated Press, after the game, Atlanta coach Brian Snicker said, “There is pain, but Acuna is fine. I had difficulty bending my knee, so I replaced it for treatment right away.” Fortunately, it’s not a big injury, but if he takes a day or two off for protection, it could be an opportunity for Bae Ji-hwan to turn around as the No. 1 stealer.
In the second game of the double header against the New York Mets on the 2nd, Acuña was hit in the left shoulder by Tyler Megil’s 93.4-mile (150.3 km) four-seam fastball in the first inning and was immediately replaced. He was concerned about a major injury, but the very next day, as a starter against Miami, he played an active role with 1 hit, 1 RBI and 1 walk in 3 at-bats. 안전놀이터
Acuna, a right-handed outfielder from Venezuela, made his debut in Atlanta in 2018. Since his first year, Acuna, who has been active as a Hota Junjok and won the National League Rookie of the Year, was signed by Atlanta with a long-term contract early. In April 2019, Acuna signed a contract extension of up to 134 million dollars for 10 years with an 8-year guarantee of 100 million dollars and a 2-year team option.
Acuna, who hit 41 home runs in 2019, the first year of his extended contract, and topped the base steals (37), also received his first All-Star and Silver Slugger awards. However, in July 2021, the season was out due to a major injury in which the right anterior cruciate ligament was ruptured while defending. After returning at the end of April last year, he had a rather sluggish season, but this year he perfectly revived. He is poised for a career-high season with a batting average of 3.55 (44 hits in 124 at-bats) in 32 games, 6 homers, 20 RBIs, 29 runs scored, 19 walks, 22 strikeouts, an on-base percentage of .445, a slugging percentage of .589, and an OPS of 1.034. In addition to steals, he also leads the NL in hits and runs scored.