Braves Staff, Brian Snitker Put on Blast for Acuña Injury

The Braves’ injury crisis extends beyond Acuña. The entire Opening Day rotation—Chris Sale (fractured ribs), Spencer Strider (elbow surgery), Reynaldo López (shoulder inflammation), Spencer Schwellenbach (fractured elbow), and AJ Smith-Shawver (Tommy John surgery)—sits on the 60-day injured list. Grant Holmes joined them this week with right elbow inflammation, per MLB.com. Fans point fingers at the medical staff, with X posts decrying “incompetent handling” of pitcher recoveries. Sale, a 2024 Cy Young candidate, was heavily criticized for being “run into the ground” with high pitch counts before his injury, further fueling fan discontent.

Marcell Ozuna’s handling has also drawn ire. Despite a hip injury hampering him all summer, the coaching staff kept the designated hitter in the lineup, tanking his trade value as his OPS plummeted from .901 on June 1 to .749, per MLB.com. X users slammed the decision, with one writing, “Starting Ozuna every day killed his trade market. Brilliant move, Snitker.” With Ozuna’s contract expiring, the Braves face a likely trade for minimal return, a move fans call a “wasted opportunity.”

The fanbase’s frustration boiled over after a 3-8 post-All-Star Break skid, with X posts demanding Snitker’s and general manager Alex Anthopoulos’ ousting. “This isn’t bad luck; it’s mismanagement,” one user raged. With Acuña’s MRI looming and the trade deadline nearing, Braves fans brace for more disappointment, their championship dreams buried under a season of injuries and questionable decisions.

Oh boy.