Braves to shut down Ronald Acuna Jr. for remainder of the regular season

The Atlanta Braves will be without star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. for the final four games of the regular season.

Manager Brian Snitker announced on Wednesday that Acuna has a groin strain and will be back for the start of the National League Playoffs on Thursday.

Snitker on Acuña: “We just felt it was better to shut him down over the remainder of the week and then he’ll be ready to go full boar on Thursday (for the start of the NLDS).”
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) September 25, 2019

Having already clinched the National League East and locked in as the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, there’s no real reason to play Acuna over the next few days. Let the MVP candidate rest and return healthy next week.

Acuna, 21, has been absolutely brilliant this season. He’s hitting .280 with 41 homers, 101 RBI, 37 stolen bases and a .883 OPS.