Just when it seemed there wasn't anything else that could go wrong in the Atlanta Braves' 2025 season, the team removed its star player on Tuesday night.
Ronald Acuña Jr. was removed with right Achilles tightness. Acuña is one of the few bright spots this season, putting up incredible numbers since his early-season return. However, this has come to an end with the outfielder heading to the IL for the time being.
While MLB.com's Mark Bowman added that Wednesday's MRI will determine the severity of the injury, putting Acuña on the injured list is the right move in what has been a lost season. If there is even a ten percent chance, continuing to play could worsen the situation; shelving the star must be done.
The Braves Should Shut Acuña Down for the 2025 Season
Atlanta's future relies on keeping Acuña healthy and building a more consistent core around him. One could argue no matter the level of concern, it is time to shut the outfielder down for the season. The Braves aren't contending for anything of note with Acuña's time in the lineup, only offering the upside of statistical production. Packing it in is the right decision, and the Braves should follow this path with the current rotation as well.
Ronald Acuña Jr. will go on the 10-day IL with right Achilles tightness.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 30, 2025
Braves fans are very quickly running out of reasons to tune in or show up to the park for a team that is paying the price of poor management. Injuries cannot be predicted, but the franchise did an incredibly poor job of adding depth to protect against them.
Perhaps with a better bullpen, Chris Sale isn't left on the mound to fracture a rib in the game's final frame during a game against the New York Mets on June 18. One could also point to the lack of outfield depth, causing the team to rarely give Acuña days off coming off a serious injury.
No matter the reasoning, there is no denying the level of failure across the board.
It is time to finish out the rest of the year with young players and veterans on expiring contracts looking to earn new ones. There is no reason to put franchise's stars in harm's way in what is a wasted year. Leave the star outfielder and the rest of your rotation on the IL for the rest of the season. With how cursed the year has felt a return isn't going to net anything positive.
Embrace losing for the final two months of the season and learn from the frustration. As difficult as it might be to accept, it is the only path the Braves have left themselves this season.