Ronald Acuna Jr. has already missed enough time due to injuries.
This includes games in the postseason.
He wasn’t going to allow himself to miss any more time.
Last night, in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, the Atlanta Braves‘ slugger was hit on the elbow with a 96-mph fastball from Zack Wheeler.
Acuna rallied and stayed in the game despite the pain, and the Braves won by a final of 3-0 as they evened up the NLDS at a game apiece.
After the game, Acuna spoke with Ken Rosenthal about being hit on the elbow and expressed that he did not want to come out of the game, saying “I already missed one postseason, I’m not going to miss another.”
"I already missed one postseason, I'm not going to miss another one."@ronaldacunajr24 told @Ken_Rosenthal that he wasn't coming out of tonight's game after being hit by a pitch: pic.twitter.com/nvwzeqBZpR
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 13, 2022
Acuna Refuses To Leave Game 2
Acuna is of course referring to last postseason.
In July of 2021, Acuna tore his ACL and was sidelined for the remainder of the season, which included the postseason.
Acuna was inactive for the Braves’ surprise run to the World Series title last year as a result.
But he is bound and determined not to miss any more time this postseason.
So, he toughed it out and managed to get through Game 2.
The 24-year-old right fielder hit .266 with 15 home runs and 50 RBI this season after beginning the year on the injured list while he continued to recover from his torn ACL.
But Acuna wasn’t going to miss any more postseason games and wasn’t going to come out of Game 2.
Game 3 will take place on Friday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
The Braves have yet to announce their Game 3 starter.
The Phillies will send Aaron Nola out to the mound in hopes of gaining a 2-1 series edge.
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