Braves’ Season Ends, Acuña’s Future Uncertain

The Dodgers’ NLDS win over Atlanta ended the Braves’ 2026 season and left Ronald Acuña Jr.’s future with the team an offseason question. In Game 3, Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched seven innings, struck out a career-high 10 postseason batters and allowed one run on five baserunners, while Enrique Hernández and Freddie Freeman hit early home runs. Acuña, who had right-knee soreness after sliding during a stolen-base attempt in Game 2, served as designated hitter in Game 3; an MRI was negative, and he returned to right field for the elimination game. Acuña has said he wants to stay in Atlanta, and the Braves hold $17 million options for each of the next two seasons, though his apparent removal of Braves references from social media has fueled speculation. Atlanta faces broader roster decisions, while reports of a possible MLB labor stoppage have raised uncertainty about the 2027 season.