Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. suffers injury scare in Venezuelan Winter League game.

Continuing to put in work in the Venezuelan Winter League, Braves star Ronald Acuna suffered a scary hit by pitch.

After a historic NL MVP season, Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. has taken his talents to the Venezuelan Winter League. While Acuna is using the experience as a way to prepare, a recent inside pitch certainly gave the Braves a scare.

Playing for the Tiburones de la Guaira, Acuna was hit on the wrist by a pitch during a Thursday night matchup, via Ben Verlander of Fox Sports. There’s no word on if the HBP left any lasting injury.

Even in the offseason, Atlanta cannot afford for Acuna to get hurt. Coming off an MVP season, Acuna is at the center of the Braves’ offense. If Atlanta wants to make a deeper playoff run next season, they’ll need Acuna in the lineup as much as possible.

He made it through 159 games in 2023, a new career-high. He set the league on fire, hitting .337 with 41 home runs, 106 RBI and 73 stolen bases. Acuna became the first player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 70 bases in the same season.