ATLANTA — The pain in Ronald Acuña Jr's voice was evident on Thursday as he spoke publicly about his season-ending ACL tear for the first time.
The Braves star went down on May 26 after turning fast on his left knee while trying to get back to second base in the first inning against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
Acuña said he was surprised that he tore his ACL, recalling back to the feeling of when he tore the ligament in his right knee back in 2021.
"I was fairly surprised, you know, because obviously it's your body. You're the one kind of feeling through the pains, and that was sort of what it felt like," Acuña said through translator Franco Garcia. "It felt like I was probably going to be out for that duration that I said. But yeah, I was surprised to hear that it was torn."
The 2023 National League Most Valuable Player said that he has received an outpouring of support from his teammates, coaches, fans and players -- not only across the league but also from athletes in other sports. But, he explained it's those messages that also make him feel like he's letting his team down.
"The amount of support has been absolutely incredible. From teammates, to the coaches, to the fans, to the entire organization, you know, honestly, it's the amount of support has been overwhelming. The amount of support finds me crying at home by myself, and the reason that's happening is because I feel like I'm the one abandoning the team. It feels like I'm the one letting everyone down," Acuña described.
He remained positive and upbeat, however, saying the last time he went through this injury and surgery back in 2021, the Braves won the World Series.
Acuña also remarked that he feels ready for this surgery due to the fact that he knows what to expect going in and knows what it takes to get back to the field. He said the rehab process is arguably more painful than going under the knife itself.
Despite the number of people from across Major League Baseball and in other sports that have reached out to him, Acuña said he still hasn't been able to get back to everybody because it makes him sad.
"It's been an overwhelming amount of support and people that have reached out to me, and to be honest, you know, I haven't gotten around to replying to a lot of those messages just because those messages come from a place of support and every time I start reading them I sort of break down and start crying," he said.
He credited his family as being a big part as to why taking the news in this time around has been easier than when he went down a few years ago.
"The family, the family's been the big difference maker. You know, having your family there every single day -- your mom, your parents, your kids. Having your family there every single day has been the real, sort of, key," he said, later adding, "You know, the other day when I was at home, I found myself crying. I look over, and they're (Acuña's two sons) laughing. They don't know any different, they're kids. But just being able to see them laugh like that and just have family around, it's what you're doing it for and that's what helps you get through it."
When asked if this team could still win the World Series without him, Acuña was adamant they could.
"They're here for a reason. Every player on that roster over there is there for a reason," he said. "This team is completely capable -- they don't need me to win the World Series."
Acuña revealed in the press conference that he will undergo his surgery on Tuesday out in Los Angeles.