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Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. (thumb) exits game but hopes to play Friday

By Thomson Reuters May 21, 2026 | 8:35 PM

The Atlanta Braves pulled right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. in the sixth inning of their Thursday ​game against the Miami Marlins ‌due to pain in his left thumb, but the ailment isn’t considered serious.

Manager Walt Weiss said X-rays on the thumb were negative, ‌though ​Acuna received a bone ⁠bruise. Acuna hopes ⁠to play on Friday when Atlanta opens a series against the visiting Washington Nationals, he and Weiss said.

Prior ​to being replaced by Eli White, Acuna went 2-for-3 with a two-run ⁠single as the ⁠host Braves built a 6-2 ​lead in Miami. Atlanta went on to ​win 9-3.

Acuna has gone 4-for-11 (.364) with ‌five runs in three games since being reinstated from the injured list on Monday. The five-time All-Star had missed ⁠14 games because of a left hamstring injury.

In 37 games this season, the 28-year-old Venezuela ⁠native ‌has posted a .261/.370/.384 slash line ⁠with two home runs, 11 ​RBIs ‌and seven stolen bases. ​His .754 OPS ⁠ranks as the second-worst of his nine-year career — trailing only his 2024 campaign that ended in May due to a torn ACL in his left knee.

–Field ​Level Media