:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65322293/usa_today_13385331.0.jpg)
The last couple of weeks have not been particularly kind to the Braves on the injury front. First, the Braves bench was severely depleted when Johan Camargo injured his shin on a foul ball and then Charlie Culberson was hit in the face with a pitch, ending his season.
After that unfortunate confluence of events, the Braves had a scare when Freddie Freeman had to leave a game due to discomfort in his elbow from a bone spur. Those fears were compounded when it was made known this week that Freddie was going to miss the Royals series dealing with that same elbow ailment even though he is expected to join the team in New York afterwards.
Now, after an injury scare with Ronald Acuna Jr. when he was pulled with soreness in his hip, we have this news.
Acuna (sprained left hip) will continue to hit and throw, but he will not play the remainder of the regular season. Snitker is confident Acuna will be ready for the NLDS.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) September 25, 2019
The Braves are saying Acuna's injury is a left groin strain
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) September 25, 2019
In all honesty, this is likely to be the Braves using an abundance of caution with a player that they can ill afford to be without for the playoffs. As Bowman notes in his report, Acuna will still be with the team and will be hitting and throwing, but will not play the rest of the season. If the ailment was considered to be more major, it is unlikely they would still be having him participate in any baseball activities. This seems like the team taking advantage of the fact that their playoff position is essentially locked in and getting Acuna as healthy as possible for the playoff run.
Unfortunately, this does end Acuna’s pursuit of a 40/40 season. He finishes the season just three stolen bases short of the milestone, but most would agree that having him healthy and productive for the playoffs is more important than the chance at 40/40.