Jason OwensStaff writerTue, April 21, 2026 at 12:56 AM UTC·1 min readAtlanta Braves All-Star Ronald Acuña Jr. left Monday’s game against the Nationals after Washington starter Jake Irvin hit him on the left hand with a fastball.

The hit-by-pitch was the second of the night for Acuña on an offering from Irvin. The pitch that knocked Acuña out of the game took place in the top of the sixth inning as Washington held a 3-2 lead.

Irvin hit Acuña with a 91 mph fastball on an 0-1 count. Acuña immediately recoiled in pain, then shot a glare at Irvin as the Washington home crowd booed the proceedings.

#Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. has been replaced by Eli White in right field.pic.twitter.com/1k48ee69o9

Acuña was able to take first base and eventually came around to score as Atlanta posted five runs in the inning to take a 7-3 lead. But he didn’t return to his place in right field. Eli White replaced him on defense in the bottom of the sixth.

The Braves announced that initial X-Rays were negative, and that Acuña was considered day-to-day with his injury. The team didn’t initially provide further details on his condition.