Ronald Acuña Jr. exits after second hit-by-pitch 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 as Ronald Acuña Jr. exited the game after being hit by a pitch for the second time.Acuña left in the sixth inning of Atlanta’s matchup against the Washington Nationals after being struck on the left hand by a 91 mph fastball from Nationals starter Jake Irvin. The reigning star immediately showed visible pain, yelling as he walked away from the plate before being evaluated by team trainers.The incident marked the second time Acuña had been hit by Irvin in the game.

He was first plunked in the fourth inning by a 92 mph fastball with the Braves trailing 2-0. While he initially remained in the game, the second hit proved more concerning given the location and his reaction.X-rays negative in Braves win against NationalsAtlanta later provided a measure of relief, announcing that X-rays on Acuña’s left hand came back negative. He has been listed as day-to-day, avoiding what could have been a significant injury for one of the game’s most dynamic players.At the time of the second hit-by-pitch, the Braves were trailing 3-2 with no outs in the sixth inning, making his departure even more impactful in a tightly contested game.

Acuña, a former MVP and the catalyst at the top of Atlanta’s lineup, plays a central role in the team’s offensive production.Any absence, even short-term, would be felt by a Braves club with postseason aspirations. His combination of power, speed and on-base ability makes him one of the most dangerous leadoff hitters in baseball and a constant threat to opposing pitchers.While there was no immediate indication of intent from Irvin, tensions can rise quickly when a player is hit multiple times in a game—especially a superstar of Acuña’s caliber. Still, the primary concern for Atlanta remains his health moving forward.For now, the Braves can exhale knowing the initial diagnosis avoided serious damage. The focus shifts to how quickly Acuña can return to the lineup as Atlanta continues its push through the early part of the season.