Ronald Acuña Jr. is eliminated after being hit in the shoulder
By Mark Bowman | 33 minutes ago
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NEW YORK — Ronald Acuña Jr. caused a scare when he left just three courts after the Braves’ 5-3 loss in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Mets at Citi Field on Monday. But it seems the Atlanta superstar could be back in action soon.
Acuña left the game after being hit in the left shoulder by Tylor Megill’s 93.4 mph fastball. The outfielder spent just over a minute sitting on the grass near the batter’s box and clutching his shoulder in pain while being attended to by training staff before heading to the clubhouse for a further check-up.
Initial X-rays taken at Citi Field were negative, prompting the Braves to announce the outfielder was only struggling with a left shoulder contusion.
But to make sure it was nothing more than a bruise, the Braves sent Acuña to a nearby hospital for more imaging results. Manager Brian Snitker expected the outfielder to accompany the team to Miami on Monday night.
A further update should be provided once the imaging results are evaluated.
“You just want to make sure,” Snitker said.
Acuña finished Game 1 — which the Braves won 9-8 — a three-way back on the cycle, a three-hit outing highlighted by his Statcast-projected 448-foot homer that landed in the third deck over left center – field wall. Three Mets hitters were hit by pitches that game: Jeff McNeil, Francisco Lindor, and Pete Alonso.
“At this point [Megill] trying to go up and in,” said Braves catcher Sean Murphy. “You wouldn’t throw 0-2 at a guy right now. But it still sucks. That makes guys angry.”