Venezuela had already secured its spot in the quarterfinals, but Acuña remained locked in on the game against Nicaragua. His performance helped the team secure its third win in Pool D and maintain momentum heading into one of the tournament’s biggest rivalry games.

“That’s part of my game,” Acuña said, according to MLB.com. “Sometimes I can hit a homer, sometimes I can steal a base, sometimes I can play defense. I can do it all.”

Acuña emphasizes key to beating Dominican Republic

With the win secured, attention now turns to Venezuela’s clash with the Dominican Republic national baseball team. The rivalry matchup will determine the next stage of the tournament, and Acuña believes controlling emotions will be crucial.

“It is important to manage the anxiety, the adrenaline,” Acuña said. “We’re going to have 40,000 people here at the stadium. There is a classic rivalry between both countries and we hope to win. We just have to control our emotions.”

In the build-up to the eagerly awaited clash between these teams, Acuna Jr. revealed a playful wager he made with Soto. “I’ve got a low-key bet going with Soto that nobody knows about. If the Dominican Republic wins, I’ll show up to the next game decked out in DR gear. But if Venezuela pulls it off, he’ll be the one sporting full Venezuela gear. That’s the bet!“ Acuna Jr. disclosed to Abriendo Sports.

This friendly wager adds an extra layer of excitement to the matchup between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, scheduled for March 11. This game marks the final group stage showdown for both teams in the World Baseball Classic.

Soto and Acuna Jr.’s Teammates in the WBC

With this wager generating buzz around the upcoming showdown between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, it’s worthwhile to examine the rosters each team will bring to the World Baseball Classic.

• Dominican Republic
  • Infielders: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B, Blue Jays), Ketel Marte (2B, Diamondbacks), Manny Machado (3B, Padres), Geraldo Perdomo (SS, Diamondbacks), Junior Caminero (3B/DH, Rays), Jeremy Peña (SS, Astros), Carlos Santana (1B, Guardians), Amed Rosario (UTIL, Yankees),
  • Outfielders: Juan Soto (LF, Mets), Fernando Tatis Jr. (RF, Padres), Julio Rodríguez (CF, Mariners), Oneil Cruz (LF/UTIL, Pirates), Johan Rojas (CF, Phillies),
  • Pitchers Starters: Cristopher Sanchez (Phillies), Sandy Alcantara (Marlins), Brayan Bello (Red Sox), Luis Severino (Athletics).
  • Relievers: Camilo Doval (Yankees), Carlos Estevez (Royals), Seranthony Domínguez (White Sox), Gregory Soto (Pirates), Abner Uribe (Brewers).
  • Catchers: Austin Wells (Yankees), Agustín Ramirez (Marlins).

• Venezuela
  • Infielders: Luis Arraez (1B/2B, Padres), Andres Gimenez (SS/2B), Gleyber Torres (2B, Tigers), Maikel Garcia (3B, Royals), Eugenio Suarez (3B, Diamondbacks), Ezequiel Tovar (SS, Rockies), Willson Contreras (1B/DH, Cardinals).
  • Outfielders: Ronald Acuna Jr. (RF, Braves), Jackson Chourio (LF/CF, Brewers), Wilyer Abreu (RF, Red Sox), Javier Sanoja (UTIL, Marlins),
  • Pitchers Starters: Ranger Suarez (Red Sox), Eduardo Rodriguez (Diamondbacks), Keider Montero (Tigers), Antonio Senzatela (Rockies).
  • Relievers: Jose Alvarado (Phillies), Daniel Palencia (Cubs), Eduard Bazardo (Mariners), Jose Butto (Mets), Angel Zerpa (Brewers).
  • Catchers: William Contreras (Brewers), Salvador Perez (Royals).

Acuña showed he is ready on the field as well. In Atlanta’s final Grapefruit League game, he stole two bases in the first inning and hit a grand slam in the third, helping the Braves beat the Boston Red Sox 15-8.

“I think it helped a lot,” Acuña said, according to MLB.com. “There’s good hitting and good pitching and a lot of superstars playing. The last World Baseball Classic, I didn’t have a good Baseball Classic, but there’s a new Baseball Classic this year. So I’m excited.”

Representing Venezuela in the WBC

Acuña will join teammates Ozzie Albies, Jurickson Profar, Chadwick Tromp, and Nacho Alvarez Jr. for the WBC. He expressed pride in representing his country: “Every time we put on the jersey that says Venezuela, I’m so proud. I want to do something special for my country, and I want to make everybody proud,” Acuña said.

Acuña’s performance and goals

Acuña’s 2023 season was historic, hitting .337 with 41 home runs, 73 stolen bases, and a 1.012 OPS after his first WBC experience. Few players in MLB history have reached similar numbers at age 25 or younger, including Albert Pujols and Vladimir Guerrero.

“We were born for this,” Acuña said. “The Dominican has a really good team, and so does the USA. But we have a really good team. We’ll play the game the right way and see what happens out there.”

The report came from Andrew Fillipponi on X. “The Pirates are ‘getting closer’ to a deal with free-agent designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. The interest is real. And signing him is a legit possibility,” Fillipponi wrote. According to the report, it is Ozuna’s 21 home runs that have caught the attention of the Pirates.

This is not the first time a serious connection between the Pirates and Ozuna has surfaced. Dan Zangrilli previously mentioned legitimate interest from Pittsburgh. “The Marcell Ozuna smoke is real,” Zangrilli said, adding, “Ozuna is next up on their list.”

How much does a player like Ozuna cost?

Ozuna’s most recent salary while playing with Acuña Jr. in Atlanta was $16.2 million as part of a four-year deal worth $65 million. It was the largest contract he has signed in his career to date, and he provided the Braves with a relatively affordable designated hitter who delivered solid production.

It is also worth noting that if Ozuna signs with the Pirates, it could complicate a potential return for Andrew McCutchen, who served as the team’s DH last season. Ozuna, McCutchen and Wilmer Flores remain among the designated hitters still available on the market.

However, the Pirates would not have an easy path if they pursue Ozuna. Last season, he not only hit 21 home runs but also recorded 113 hits with a .232 batting average. Another team showing interest is San Diego, which is also looking to add a DH to strengthen its offense.

“According to my sources, Marcell Ozuna is drawing interest from the San Diego Padres. Additionally, as reported earlier, the Pittsburgh Pirates are also pursuing the three-time All-Star,” Mike Rodriguez reported on X.

According to a report from Francys Romero, the Blue Jays have set their sights on the Caribbean pitcher. “According to sources, the Toronto Blue Jays have emerged as a strong suitor for Cuban reliever Raisel Iglesias,” Romero wrote on X.

This is more than just a rumor regarding Iglesias, who appeared in 70 games for the Braves last season. Toronto is genuinely looking to add the arm to their roster: “Toronto is actively pursuing the veteran right-hander as they look to reinforce the back end of their bullpen,” Romero confirmed in his report.

Iglesias’ solid 11-year career

Aside from playing alongside Acuña Jr. in Atlanta, Iglesias’ career has been relatively strong for a reliever who debuted with the Reds in 2015 and stayed there until 2020. He owns a 2.90 career ERA across 600 games and has accumulated 253 saves. With the Braves recently, he had his highest-game season, appearing in 70 games and recording 57 games finished, a career high.

Iglesias’ ERA last season was 3.21, his highest since 2019, but overall, his numbers have been consistently good. In 2024, he posted a 1.95 ERA across 66 games, indicating his form has remained strong during his tenure with the Braves.

Another arm for the Blue Jays bullpen suggests two things: first, that Toronto is seeking a way to avoid relying solely on two or three good relievers, aiming instead for maximum talent so their rotation starters are well-supported; and second, the desire to prevent late-inning collapses.

But in Atlanta’s Tuesday night matchup against the Kansas City Royals, the momentum came to a halt. Acuña exited the game in the sixth inning after experiencing discomfort, and the postgame atmosphere turned somber.

Later, Acuña addressed reporters in an emotional interview, conducted through a translator. Though he tried to remain composed, his body language and voice told the story of frustration and fear all too familiar to Braves fans.

Tightness in right Achilles sends Acuña to injured list

The team later confirmed that Acuña is dealing with tightness in his right Achilles tendon. This issue comes just over a year after he tore his left ACL in May 2024—a cruel echo of his 2021 right ACL tear. The Braves have since placed him on the 10-day injured list.

According to Acuña, the issue surfaced the day before the game, but he insisted on playing despite the warning signs. “Yeah, I think it definitely got worse today,” Acuña admitted. “I told them yesterday and everyone said hey, take the day if you want, you can have the day off. I said no, I’ve just missed so much time already through with injuries, I don’t want to miss any more time.”

Acuña’s emotional message

When asked if he feared structural damage, Acuña didn’t hold back: “Yeah, of course. It’s an injury, I’m worried. It’s just pain, but I feel it a lot when I try to put pressure on it,” he explained, showing clear concern over the seriousness of the flare-up.

For now, the Braves are taking a cautious approach. Acuña indicated that medical evaluations will continue on Wednesday to determine the next steps.

Acuña Jr. avoids major injury

MLB reporter Mark Bowman shared an update via “X” regarding Ronald Acuña Jr.’s injury status: “Acuña’s discomfort is in the upper Achilles/lower right calf region. Preliminary tests provided no reason to believe he has a significant injury. Today’s MRI will verify if this is true. If results match current expectations, there’s a chance Acuña could play again in 2–3 weeks.” This message offers a cautiously optimistic outlook for the Braves, who are hopeful the MRI will confirm that no major setback has occurred

The player in question is Kenny Acuña, the youngest of the Acuña brothers at just 14 years old. While he’s not yet old enough to sign a professional contract, he’s already on the radar of MLB scouts. According to reports, he’s given a verbal commitment to the Philadelphia Phillies.

“Acuña’s younger brother Kenny, 14 years old, played his first game in the United States today at a Perfect Game event in Florida. He has verbally agreed to sign with the Phillies, according to Sports Illustrated,” reported John Clark of NBC on X.

How many Acuña brothers are in MLB?

Ronald Acuña Jr. has three brothers. Only one of them—Luisangel Acuña—is currently in the majors, playing for the New York Mets. His other two brothers, Kenny and Bryan, are not in MLB yet. Bryan is playing under a minor league contract in the Twins system.

All four brothers share the same father, Ronald Acuña Sr., though Ronald Jr. has a different mother than his siblings. Kenny, the youngest, was born in New Hampshire sometime between 2011 and 2012. The Acuña family also includes other MLB ties, such as former big leaguer Kelvim Escobar.

While there’s still a long road ahead, Kenny’s verbal commitment to the Phillies could be a sign that he’s already viewed as a potential future prospect for the organization.

The moment didn’t just wow the crowd at Truist Park — it prompted a firm reaction from Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who called out the baserunning mistake that led to the out. Boone’s critique highlighted the mental lapse by Jorbit Vivas, who misread Acuña’s relaxed stance and paid the price.

Acuña’s brilliance, paired with Boone’s frustration, added an extra layer of drama to a game already packed with postseason implications. While Atlanta fights to stay in contention, plays like this — and reactions like Boone’s — underscore the razor-thin margin between wins and losses.

Acuña stuns with no-step strike that ends rally threat

The third inning was slipping away from Braves starter Spencer Strider after issuing back-to-back walks. Cody Bellinger sent a high fly ball toward the right-field corner, and Vivas assumed he could tag up without consequence. But Acuña, standing flat-footed under the ball, delivered a one-hop strike to third base that stunned everyone — including Strider, who didn’t even realize the ball was in play.

“I thought it was foul and out of play,” Strider said according to MLB.com. “He’s a good actor — that was a great deke.” Nacho Alvarez Jr. applied the tag as Vivas stood in disbelief. Acuña later called it “one of the best throws of my career,” a sentiment echoed by Braves skipper Brian Snitker, who compared it to the legendary arm of Roberto Clemente. “That was like a Roberto Clemente throw,”

Boone calls out mental error

Boone, a former third baseman himself, didn’t mince words when asked about the miscue. “That just can’t happen,” he said. “It’s a lesson that can’t happen on a baseball field, especially in that situation.” His comments echoed the frustrations of a Yankees team struggling to maintain consistency down the stretch.

Braves lean on star power

The Braves, meanwhile, saw contributions from several key names. Ozzie Albies launched a three-run homer, and Strider delivered six scoreless innings as he continues to work back from elbow surgery. But it was Acuña — already a former MVP and All-Star starter — who stole the spotlight with a single throw that reminded everyone just how special his talent is.

With 66 games remaining, Atlanta will need more of that five-tool magic to stay alive in the playoff race. And for Acuña, this latest moment only further cements his reputation as one of baseball’s most electrifying players.

Sabathia took to his personal X account to praise Acuña, writing: “Sheesh!! That’s a rocket arm Acuña!!!” — a reaction to the jaw-dropping throw from deep in the outfield to third base that caught Vivas, who appeared to slow down before reaching the bag, seemingly assuming the Venezuelan outfielder wouldn’t be able to get the ball there in time.

In a separate post, Sabathia added: “Two things can be true: 1) there was definitely an opportunity to slide and 2) that was an out of this world throw by Acuña that deserves all the credit…” — a comment that sparked plenty of replies from Yankees fans.

Yankees Fans Respond to Sabathia

Fans didn’t hold back in responding to Sabathia’s posts. While many acknowledged Acuña’s incredible arm, they also felt Vivas should have slid in time and criticized Yankees leadership for the team’s ongoing baserunning issues — something Joe Girardi and Michael Kay recently blasted live on air.

“Acuna deserves all the credit for the throw, but Vivas, Boone, and Cashman deserve all the blame for the out,” one fan posted on X. “The Yankees shouldn’t be in a situation where they’re relying on inexperienced players. But because they are, the coaching staff should at least be able to teach basic fundamentals. And because they aren’t, Vivas should at least use common sense and give a better effort.”

Another fan chimed in: “I’d argue the reason Vivas pulled up and slowed down was because of the insane deke from Nacho. But yeah, it was poor baserunning to an extent. At the very least, he underestimated Acuña.”

The back tightness emerged during Acuña’s pregame workout, part of his routine at the beginning of every series. This particular session, however, ended with discomfort. “I did a movement and just felt it tighten up on me,” Acuña said.

In the aftermath, Acuña offered a clear message regarding his priorities: “I think we should just take it day-by-day to see how we’re feeling,” he stated through interpreter Franco Garcia, according to MLB.com. “My first priority is to be able to rejoin the team and help the guys on the field. So, that’s really my first concern.”

Will Ronald Acuña Jr. miss the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby?

Manager Brian Snitker acknowledged Acuña’s situation would be reassessed Wednesday but didn’t rule anything out. “They treated him the whole game,” Snitker said. “We’ll just see how he is tomorrow.”

While Acuña has made clear his desire to participate in both All-Star events—especially with them being held in Atlanta—his availability will depend on whether the tightness fades quickly. With the Home Run Derby scheduled for Monday and the All-Star Game on Tuesday, any lingering soreness could prevent his participation.

How much does this mean for the Braves?

Acuña’s status is just one part of the broader struggles facing Atlanta. Young starter Didier Fuentes was shelled again Tuesday—giving up eight runs in just one-plus inning—before being sent down to the Minors. Injuries to Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach have left the rotation depleted.

More concerning, however, is the lack of offense. The Braves have scored one run or fewer in seven of their last 12 games, and Acuña’s slump has been a factor. Since June 25, he’s hit just .171 with a .481 OPS. Whether or not Acuña takes part in All-Star festivities, his recovery will be essential for a Braves team that suddenly finds itself fighting to stay competitive.

The event marks a symbolic return for the Venezuelan outfielder, who missed most of the 2024 season with a torn ACL. Now healthy, Acuña is looking to make a powerful statement—literally—in one of MLB’s most popular midseason showcases.

This will be Acuña’s third appearance in the Derby, and his excitement was evident during the announcement. “I’m super happy to be competing in my third Derby and even more so to be doing it in front of the best fans in baseball, in Braves Country,” Acuña said through an interpreter, according to MLB.com. “I’m super excited.”

How many Home Run derbies has Acuña competed in?

Acuña previously competed in the 2019 and 2022 editions of the Home Run Derby. He eliminated Josh Bell in the first round of the 2019 event with 25 home runs but fell to Pete Alonso by a narrow 20-19 margin in the second round. In 2022, Acuña faced Alonso again, this time at Dodger Stadium, and once again lost by a 20-19 score in the first round.

Despite not advancing past the semifinals in either appearance, Acuña has consistently showcased his elite power, particularly his ability to drive the ball to all fields.

What makes this year’s Derby special for Acuña?

This year’s event carries special meaning, as Acuña will perform in front of a home crowd at Truist Park. He called the opportunity “a tremendous level of confidence from all the fans who are there supporting you.” Acuña has hit nine home runs in just 107 at-bats since returning from injury on May 23 and is on pace to surpass 25 home runs despite missing the Braves’ first 49 games.

In addition, Braves bullpen catcher Jose Yepez will serve as his pitcher during the competition. The synergy between batter and pitcher is crucial in the Derby, and Yepez’s familiarity with Acuña could provide an edge.

What’s at stake in 2025?

Although the full list of Derby participants hasn’t been announced yet, Acuña made it clear that his primary focus is “to put on a good show.” The 26-year-old remains one of the game’s most electric players, and despite two surgically repaired knees, his swing hasn’t lost its pop.

Acuña leads MLB with 24 home runs of 450 feet or more since his rookie season in 2018, including postseason games. That’s more than Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, who are tied at 22. If there’s any stage for a long-distance power display, it’s this one.

Recapping Acuña’s MVP-level career

In 2023, Acuña recorded one of the most impressive individual seasons in league history, blasting 41 home runs and stealing 73 bases—a feat never before achieved in a single campaign. Despite a torn right ACL that ended his 2021 season just days before the All-Star break, he has consistently proven to be one of the league’s most dynamic players.

As Atlanta prepares to host the All-Star festivities, fans are hoping Acuña’s Derby performance eclipses that of Chipper Jones, who managed just two home runs in the 2000 Derby at Turner Field. Whether or not Acuña brings home the Derby title, the fireworks are all but guaranteed.