CHICAGO -- The Braves were dealt a potentially significant scare in the fourth inning of Tuesday night's game against the White Sox when Ronald Acuña Jr. exited after injuring his left hamstring while running to first base.
The Braves announced that Acuña left due to left hamstring tightness.
Acuña grounded out to third baseman Miguel Vargas with one out in the top of the fourth. As he ran through first base, Acuña appeared to experience discomfort and continued hobbling several steps into foul territory in right field.
The 28-year-old slowly made his way back toward the dugout, slamming his helmet in frustration before disappearing up the tunnel.
Eli White replaced Acuña in right field for the bottom of the fourth inning.
The sight of Acuña leaving the game immediately raised concern, given both his importance to Atlanta's lineup and his injury history. Acuña is slashing .251/.373/.421 with a .794 OPS while serving as the leadoff hitter for a Braves club that entered the night with a 45-21 record and one of the hottest stretches in baseball.
Acuña has endured several significant injuries throughout his career. He sustained a season-ending torn right ACL in July 2021 and missed the remainder of the 2024 season after tearing his left ACL on May 26. More recently, he spent time on the injured list earlier this season with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain sustained while running out a ground ball against the Rockies on May 2. He returned from that injury on May 19.
For now, the extent of Tuesday's injury remains unclear. But any absence involving Acuña would be notable for a Braves team that has relied heavily on its former National League MVP atop the lineup during its recent surge.