CHICAGO -- Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. left Sunday night's blowout win over the Chicago Cubs in the fourth inning due to an abdominal strain. After the game, manager Brian Snitker said Acuna will be reevaluated in New York on Monday.
"I couldn't tell what was going on," Snitker said after the 13-4 victory. "There was something in his belly (muscle). They'll know more tomorrow when they get him looked at in New York."
Acuna had reached base via a walk in the top of the fourth but was attended to by Braves trainers after advancing to second on a free pass to Freddie Freeman a few moments later.
After eventually scoring from third base on a sacrifice fly, Acuna didn't come out to play the field in the bottom of the inning. He was replaced in the lineup by Johan Camargo. It's believed he aggravated the ailment diving back into first on a pickoff throw. The Braves were hopeful it's a minor thing.
"From what I've heard he's doing well," Sunday's winning pitcher, Bryse Wilson, said. "We're hoping he's going to be all right."
Acuna has been the Braves' best hitter in the early going, having reached base in his past 13 games, including on Sunday. He is hitting .419 so far this season. He wasn't needed on Sunday as the Braves hit four first-inning home runs and compiled two six-run innings in taking two of three from the Cubs over the weekend.
Guillermo Heredia belted a two-run shot in the first inning and added a grand slam in the sixth as he was just one of many hitting stars for the Braves on the night.
The Braves hit four home runs in the first inning for just the second time in franchise history. Freeman, Travis d'Arnaud and Ehire Adrianza joined Heredia in going deep. The four home runs are the most Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks has given up in a single game, let alone a single inning. He's also the first pitcher in franchise history to give up four long balls in the first inning. The Braves also took of advantage of the relievers who followed him.
"We've been grinding to get this offensive thing going so I think that's a step in the right direction," Snitker said.
Acuna's injury is the latest in a string of them for the Braves that includes starting pitchers and position players. Second baseman Ozzie Albies left Saturday's game while pitcher Drew Smyly was scratched not long before he was scheduled to pitch on Friday.
And that doesn't even include the injuries in center field, where Heredia filled in. He's the first Braves player to record at least six runs batted in while hitting eighth in the order.
"He has an infectious personality," Snitker said of Heredia. "He's got skills too. He fits in here really well."
Anthony Rizzo went deep twice for the Cubs, who open a series with the New York Mets on Tuesday. The Braves play the Yankees in the Bronx that night as well.