Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. gets emotional on future with Atlanta after losing NLDS to Dodgers

Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. gets emotional on future with Atlanta after losing NLDS to Dodgers originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Atlanta Braves and Ronald Acuña Jr. have accomplished so much together, as they have been together for so long. Through all of the injuries and lows that come with it, the Braves organization has been a guiding hand for Acuña the entire time.

This playoff run was not easy for Acuña. He struggled and aggravated his knee during the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It caused him to be the DH on Tuesday night.

“Acuña was slated to play right field until the Braves announced the lineup change approximately 90 minutes before the first pitch. The Braves veteran outfielder served as the DH 14 times during the regular season. But this marked the first time he has filled the role during this postseason,” Braves reporter Mark Bowman wrote.

Then, after the game on Tuesday, Acuña was criticized for not coming alive in the playoffs and was even blamed for handcuffing his team after an ABS challenge in the first inning.

“It really handcuffs the rest of the lineup and your catcher,” Former Braves player Kevin Pillar said.

Acuña failed to hit with a runner in scoring position on Wednesday night as well, giving Atlanta fans something they weren’t happy with. The Braves would lose 4-1 to the Dodgers, and the former MVP is catching a lot of heat for a bad series. After the game, Acuña got emotional when discussing his future in Atlanta.

“I want to stay here, that hasn’t changed. But I can’t control that,” Acuña told the media.

He knows that there are a lot of decisions to be made this winter, as the roster is going to have somewhat of a turnover. The team just isn’t made for the playoffs, and some players just don’t have that October mentality.

Acuña has given everything to the organization when he can, but injuries have haunted him throughout his career. The Braves will figure out how to handle things, but Acuña wants to be a Brave forever.

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