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Ronald Acuña Jr. Questions Braves’ Handling of Kelenic Hustle Blunder

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Lockett | Last updated Apr 20, 2025 2:27 PM ET

Ronald Acuña Jr. may be sidelined, but the reigning NL MVP is still paying close attention—and he’s not thrilled with how things are being handled in his absence.

After Jarred Kelenic was thrown out at second base for failing to hustle on what looked like a sure double in the Braves’ 4-3 win over the Twins, Acuña took to social media with a subtle—but pointed—critique of manager Brian Snitker’s response to the play.

MLB.com’s Mark Bowman posted that Snitker brushed off questions about whether he addressed Kelenic’s mistake, replying simply, “Was I supposed to?” That’s when Acuña chimed in with a now-deleted comment: “If it were me, they would take me out of the game.”

Ronald Acuna Jr. has some thoughts on manager Brian Snitker’s comments regarding Jarred Kelenic’s lack of hustle:

Is some potential tension brewing in Atlanta? pic.twitter.com/kVdRsr2Ngi
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) April 20, 2025

The implication was clear: Acuña believes there’s a double standard in how the Braves hold players accountable.

Back in 2019, a 21-year-old Acuña was benched mid-game by Snitker for a similar lapse—failing to hustle on a ball he thought was a home run. At the time, Snitker publicly defended the decision, emphasizing the importance of playing hard and not letting teammates down.

Fast forward to 2025, and Kelenic—currently hitting .170—hasn’t faced the same public consequences. With Acuña expected to return from ACL surgery next month, Kelenic’s spot in the lineup is already in jeopardy. The Braves are getting a spark from newly acquired Alex Verdugo, who’s been red-hot in the leadoff role.

Whether Acuña’s comment signals deeper frustration or was just an impulsive reaction remains unclear, but it has certainly reignited conversation around consistency and leadership in Atlanta’s clubhouse.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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