The Venezuelan star outfielder hit a double at the start of the Atlanta Braves' visit to the Pittsburgh Pirates. When Acuña made an attempt to steal third base, his left knee gave way as he changed direction and he fell to the ground. He stayed there for several minutes before eventually getting up and limping off the field.

Acuña said later, "I saw the catcher throwing the ball back to the pitcher very slow. I was timing that so I could steal third. But in that moment he threw it hard, so I had to come back, and that's when I felt it."

The Braves reported that the 26-year-old had sustained "a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee". He suffered the same season-ending injury to his right knee midway through the 2021 campaign.

Since winning the 2018 National League Rookie of the Year award, Acuña has been a mainstay for the Braves. In 2023, he won the National League MVP award after becoming the first man to record 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases in a season.

As well as his exploits in Atlanta, Acuña played a key role in Venezuela winning all four of their group games at the 2023 WBSC World Baseball Classic. The side went out 9-7 to eventual runners-up United States in the quarter-finals. He is almost certain to be part of their next World Baseball Classic roster in 2026.