Brian Snitker Catching Heat for Ronald Acuña Jr.'s Latest Injury

Right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr was the latest Atlanta Braves player to land on the injured list Tuesday night. Acuña left Tuesday's loss to the Kansas City Royals with tightness in his right Achilles tendon.

Acuña has a history of injuries, but Braves manager Brian Snitker and the organization's coaching staff is partially to blame for the right fielder's latest ailment. That was the growing sentiment on social media among some Braves fans and baseball pundits late Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

"Atlanta Braves letting Ronald Acuña Jr. play with discomfort is so stupid that I'm truly speechless," one social media user wrote on X. "You let a player with TWO ACL TEARS play when he's showing discomfort? Where are the adults?!"

Atlanta Braves letting Ronald Acuña Jr play with discomfort is so stupid that I’m truly speechless. You let a player with TWO ACL TEARS play when he’s showing discomfort? Where are the adults?! #BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/peZjwYkpC8
— Austin (@AustinPlanet) July 30, 2025

Acuña revealed through a translator Tuesday night that he played through the injury. The right fielder also told reporters that the injury is probably worse because he played with it.

Acuña added that "everyone" told him he could take the day off, but he didn't want to rest.

"I think it definitely got worse today," Acuña said, via 92.9 The Game's Grant McAuley. "I told them yesterday, and everyone said, 'Hey, take the day if you want it. You can have the day off.' But I've just missed so much time already through injuries, I don't want to miss anymore time."

I absolutely hate the idea of this guy missing more time. On top of the talent and gifts that few in the game possess, he works extremely hard and plays with his heart on his sleeve.

Ronald Acuña Jr. will find out more when he undergoes imaging. pic.twitter.com/3pkIVLyFp8
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) July 30, 2025

"If it's torn ... fire everyone," tweeted MLB analyst Ben Verlander.

If it’s torn… fire everyone. https://t.co/00YQtaD7en
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) July 30, 2025

Other baseball pundits blamed Snitker more specifically for failing to protect Acuña from further injury.

"Pretty insane that Braves staff thought it was a good idea to let Acuña play," 680 The Fan's Brady Penn wrote. "Two examples of Sniker failing to save players from themselves in the last 40 days or so with RAJ and Sale."

Pretty insane that Braves staff thought it was a good idea to let Acuña play. Two examples of Snitker failing to save players from themselves in the last 40 days or so with RAJ and Sale.

They should pray it’s nothing severe. Even if it isn’t, have to consider shutting down or…
— Brady Penn (@bradypenn21) July 30, 2025

Some social media users and Braves fans criticized Snitker for the season reason.

On another note, Snitker really needs to be forced to retire now. Your job as a manager is to protect your players. If you can’t sit RONALD ACUNA JR., for his own good, you can’t be trusted to do ANYTHING for the greater good of this franchise.
— Amerigo Vesgucci (@JosephMurphree4) July 30, 2025

Snit said "it's one of those things you don't mess with". WHY LET HIM PLAY AT ALL IN A COMPLETELY LOST SEASON? Absolutely inexcusable. Snit and the whole staff should be gone now before they ruin any more player's careers.
— Andy (@Braves_Fan_Andy) July 30, 2025

#Snitker needs to grow a pair & should sit these OVERPAID Big Headed players down,let them know whose Mgr, so they don't aggravate it into a season ending injury!As much as Acuna has been out ,he is not worth his salary,and I hope he doesn't get all his money when hurt!
— Sue U. (@seunder0409) July 30, 2025

Let him play through it???? Snitker and the coaching staff has collectively lost their damn minds!!
— Porchipine0804 (@porchipine0804) July 30, 2025

Coaching staff fucking blows. Fire Snit and everyone else. There’s absolutely no way you let your franchise player go out and play when he has Achilles discomfort. Especially when you consider that #1 he’s injury prone and #2 the season is already fucking over
— Zach Kendall (@Zach11831036) July 30, 2025

Fortunately for Acuña and the Braves, initial tests on the right fielder do not indicate that the Achilles injury is serious. He will undergo more tests, but it's possible Acuña will be back playing in 2-3 weeks.