Ronald Acuna Jr. shares his emotional reaction to season-ending injury

Aug 18, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) runs to the dugout to change gloves against the San Francisco Giants in the ninth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. opened up a bit more about his heartbreaking reaction to his season-ending ACL tear.

Acuna discussed his injury on Thursday, and said through a translator that he was grateful for the “overwhelming” support he has received since suffering the injury. However, those well-wishes have made him feel worse in a certain sense.

“That’s what finds me crying at home by myself, because I feel like I’m the one abandoning the team,” Acuna said, via Joe Trezza of MLB.com. “It feels like I’m the one letting everyone down. But there’s nothing I can do. Just continue to work hard to heal.”

Acuna was outright apologetic when he learned the extent of the injury. Obviously, nobody is blaming him for it, but that hardly makes the reaction any easier to take. The added emotions from well-wishers only seem to be making those feelings even more intense.

Acuna’s injury will cost him the remainder of the 2024 season. The team has already been linked to some big names as they look at potential trades to fill the void.