Two Acunas on MLB Postseason Rosters Despite Setbacks

Two baseball players with the esteemed Acuna surname are making headlines in the Major League Baseball postseason. Ronald Acuna Jr., a renowned figure in the sport, has seen his season with the Atlanta Braves come to an untimely end due to a severe knee injury. Meanwhile, his brother, Luisangel Acuna, is stepping onto the postseason stage for the first time with the New York Mets, bringing a fresh dynamic to the team’s lineup.

Ronald Acuna Jr., a native of Venezuela, joined the Atlanta Braves as an international free agent in 2014. He made his MLB debut in 2018, swiftly capturing the National League Rookie of the Year title. Over the years, Ronald has assembled an impressive array of accolades, including four All-Star appearances and three Silver Slugger Awards. His membership in the elite 40–40 club in 2023 capped off a remarkable year, one in which he was honored as the National League’s Most Valuable Player.

The 2024 season, however, brought challenges for Ronald when a knee injury initially diagnosed as soreness was revealed to be a complete tear in his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This setback forced him to withdraw from play, mirroring a similar injury to his right ACL in 2021, which sidelined him for the latter half of that season.

The Braves, albeit without Ronald, continue to vie for victory in the postseason, traveling to San Diego as they aim to extend their season. Contrastingly, for Luisangel Acuna, this postseason marks his debut at this significant level of competition. His journey commenced with an agreement to sign with the Braves in 2017—an arrangement later nullified by Atlanta’s international signing violations.

After signing with the Texas Rangers in July 2018, Luisangel ascended through the minors, eventually finding his way to the New York Mets through a trade. Starting the 2024 season with the Syracuse Mets, the team’s Triple-A affiliate, his progression was rewarded with a promotion to the major league roster in September, just in time for the playoff chase.

Despite both Acuna brothers falling short of a full regular season, their participation was impactful. As they contribute to their teams’ postseason campaigns from the sidelines and amidst shared familial experiences, the baseball world eagerly anticipates their continued evolution in the sport.