Braves Make Ronald Acuna Jr Decision After Brutal Injury Setback

The Atlanta Braves have performed as one of Major League Baseball’s most consistently successful clubs in recent seasons, but last year marked a concerning step back.

For the first time since 2017, the Braves missed the playoffs as several key players endured significant injury setbacks. Spencer Strider, Chris Sale, Austin Riley and others missed time with a variety of ailments.

But perhaps the biggest blow was the second significant knee injury in the career of franchise superstar Ronald Acuna Jr., who tore his ACL in 2021 and then did so again in 2024. Acuna returned last season to play in 95 games and earned an All-Star bid, but it seems like the Braves’ injury problems are far from over.

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Shortly after the team signed shortstop Ha-Seong Kim to a one-year, $20 million contract, he suffered an odd and brutal injury setback when he slipped on some ice in his native South Korea.

“The Braves announced this afternoon that infielder Ha-Seong Kim suffered a hand injury while in South Korea and underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger,” Nick Deeds wrote for MLB Trade Rumors. “It’s a brutal revelation for the Braves, who claimed Kim off waivers from the (Tampa Bay) Rays back in September in hopes of luring him to Atlanta for the 2026 season as well.”

With Kim ruled out, some speculation arose that the team might move Acuna to fill in the shortstop position. That speculation was intensified after Acuna was seen taking some infield reps earlier this month.

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But the team has made a firm decision that they won’t move their franchise star to a new position, even in the wake of the latest unfortunate setback for their snakebitten roster.

“I just confirmed with the Braves that they have no plans for Acuna to even toy with playing shortstop or any other infield positions,” MLB.com reported Mark Bowman reported on X, formerly Twitter, in response to the notion of Acuna filling in for Kim. “He’s certainly not the only outfielder who takes grounders, especially in the winter.”

On paper, Acuna seems like he could play the infield with gusto. He has a career .985 fielding percentage and is one of the best baserunners in the sport, twice leading the National League in total steals throughout his career.

However, it’s possible that an infield position could increase Acuna’s chances of suffering another lower body injury. And losing Acuna for an extended stretch once again would significantly derail the Braves’ attempt to return to the postseason.