Braves get encouraging news on Ronald Acuna Jr.

Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Braves get encouraging news after MVP favorite Ronald Acuna Jr. leaves game

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 8/8/23

The Atlanta Braves got quite a scare on Tuesday night when outfielder and National League MVP frontrunner Ronald Acuna Jr. had to leave the game after he was drilled in the elbow by a 97 MPH pitch from Pittsburgh's Colin Holderman.

Acuna Jr. was visibly frustrated and in obvious pain after he was hit by the pitch in the sixth inning, slamming his bat and helmet to the ground before being removed from the game.

The good news for the Braves is that two innings after he left the game the team announced X-rays on his elbow came back negative.

Here is a look at the play.

Per Braves OF Ronald Acuña Jr. was removed from tonight’s game after being hit by a pitch on his left elbow. X-rays were negative #ForTheA

pic.twitter.com/JqUzuWG4Ei
— Alison Mastrangelo (@AlisonWSB) August 9, 2023

Acuna Jr. homered to lead off the game for his 26th long ball of the season in the Braves 8-6 win.

He is having an incredible year overall and is the runaway favorite for the National League MVP award. Along with his 26 home runs, he has also already stolen 58 bases.

Along with his brilliance at the plate and on the bases, Acuna Jr. has also been a target for opposing pitchers over the years and gets hit by a lot of pitches. Tuesday's was already the seventh of the season for him after being hit by 10 a year ago.

The Braves ended up winning Tuesday's game thanks to a three-run rally in the top of the ninth inning.

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