Acuna headed for DL with ACL sprain, back contusion

Ronald Acuna, the Atlanta Braves phenom who exited Sunday's game after suffering a gruesome left knee injury, has been diagnosed with a mild ACL sprain, a knee contusion, and a lower back contusion, the team announced, and will be placed on the 10-day disabled list.

He will be re-evaluated at the end of the 10-day period, the Braves added.

Sent for an MRI after being lifted from Sunday's game against the Boston Red Sox, Acuna injured his knee beating out an infield single in the top of the seventh inning, his leg buckling awkwardly after he crossed the first-base bag. He fell to the ground in pain, and lay facedown on the dirt as medical staff rushed out to attend to him. Following an examination, Acuna limped off the field under his own power.

"It's not something you like to see, especially on a routine ball hit to short," Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz told MLB.com's Mark Bowman. "Then (Acuna) beats it out like that with that hustle. We're praying for him. It was amazing to see him walk off like that. We were all shocked to see that."

Acuna, the highly touted 20-year-old promoted to the big-league club in late April, has made a strong first impression in Atlanta, hitting .265/.326/.453 (113 OPS+) with five home runs, seven doubles, and two stolen bases in his 29 games. In his absence, the Braves will likely have Preston Tucker take over in left field.