Braves remove Acuna from game as ‘precaution’

Braves manager Brian Snitker explains decision behind removing Ronald Acuna from game in Miami after complaining of discomfort to his pectoral muscles.

Braves star Ronald Acuna was removed from Sunday’s win in Miami in the fifth inning because of what the team described as right pectoral-muscle tightness.

The Braves said Acuna was lifted as a precautionary measure.

“He could have kept going. He wanted to keep going,” manager Brian Snitker said after the game. “I just wanted to err on the side of caution. I don’t see this (injury) being lingering. ... It was enough that it was bothering him. It wasn’t something we wanted to mess with.”

Snitker said he’s “assuming” Acuna might be back in the lineup Tuesday for the Braves’ next game, but said the medical staff “will look at him (Monday) and see where he’s at.”

Acuna was 1-for-3 in Sunday’s game with two strikeouts and a run scored. He clearly experienced discomfort during his second at-bat.