Ronald Acuña Jr. Tears ACL, Out for Remainder of 2021 Season

Acuña landed awkwardly on his right leg while attempting to make a leaping play at the warning track.

Days before the All-Star break, the Braves' disappointing season took a cruel turn for the worse.

Right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. left the game after injuring his right knee while attempting to make a leaping grab near the wall. He immediately fell to the ground in pain and did not attempt to retrieve the ball. After the game, the Braves announced that an MRI revealed a complete tear of the ACL, and that Acuña would undergo season-ending surgery.

Ronald Acuña Jr. exits the game after injuring his knee going for an outfield catch. #ForTheA pic.twitter.com/9HNIKaK11t

— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) July 10, 2021

The play resulted in an inside-the-park home run for Marlins second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. Acuña eventually needed to get carted off the field.

Ronald Acuña Jr. has to be carted off the field after suffering an injury to his right knee or leg. pic.twitter.com/mXrjIBAs6V

— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) July 10, 2021

The loss of Acuña for the rest of the year is a devastating blow for one of the game's emerging superstars. Acuña was set to make his second career All-Star start after a stellar first three months of the season. Entering Saturday's game, the 23-year-old was batting .281/.392/.593 with 24 home runs and 16 stolen bases. He leads the majors with 71 runs scored.

Acuña has finished in the top 12 of MVP voting in each of his first three seasons, winning the 2019 National League Rookie of the Year award. He's a two-time Silver Slugger award winner, and became the ninth-youngest player to hit 100 career home runs in league history earlier this season.