PITTSBURGH — Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. was hit on his left elbow by a pitch from Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Colin Holderman in the sixth inning Tuesday night and left the 8-6 victory.
It was a 97 mph sinker from Holderman that Acuna tried to dodge before it ran into his yellow elbow guard. Two innings later, the team announced that X-rays on Acuna’s elbow were negative. He is considered day to day.
“I’m sure it stung him pretty good, and he lost feeling in the arm,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I’m just glad nothing showed up (on the X-rays). I’d rather not take any chances on it by leaving him in the game and just let him go get treatment and see how he feels (Wednesday).”
Acuna has been one of the best players in the majors this season, and the Braves brought MLB’s best record into the game. He led off the game with his 26th homer — his 31st career leadoff homer and fifth this season — and went 1-for-3.
Acuna is batting .339 in 111 games and leads the majors with 53 stolen bases.
Rookie Forrest Wall pinch-ran for Acuna and replaced him in right field. Later, Kevin Pillar and Orlando Arcia each drove in two runs in the ninth, as the Braves rallied from 6-4 down to secure the win.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.