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Braves Send Jarred Kelenic to Triple-A Following Clubhouse Controversy

The Atlanta Braves have decided to option outfielder Jarred Kelenic to Triple-A, just a week after he found himself at the center of a clubhouse controversy.

Ronald Acuña Jr., a standout player for the Braves, expressed his dissatisfaction with manager Brian Snitker’s response to a question regarding Kelenic’s lack of hustle during the team’s game on April 19. Kelenic hit a ball toward right field but seemed to assume it was a home run and walked out of the batter’s box. The ball, however, bounced off the top of the wall and, although Kelenic attempted to stretch the play into a double, he was thrown out at second base.

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Had Kelenic run hard from the start, he likely would have secured a double without incident. In the aftermath of the game, when asked if there would be disciplinary action for Kelenic, Snitker appeared bewildered, sparking a reaction from Acuña on social media.

“If it were me, they would take me out of the game,” he stated on X, before later deleting the post, although it had already garnered attention and reached Snitker.

BRAVES STAR RONALD ACUÑA JR. EXPOSES DOUBLE STANDARD WITH TEAM: ‘THEY WOULD TAKE ME OUT OF THE GAME’

Acuña’s remarks highlight a perceived double standard within the team, as he has faced similar scrutiny in the past. In 2019, he was benched by Snitker for not running out a ground ball—an incident that drew a firm response from the manager, emphasizing the importance of hustle on the field.

Now, Kelenic’s demotion to Triple-A Gwinnett isn’t solely a punishment for this latest incident but is also due to his struggles with production to start the 2025 season. His batting average stands at a lowly .167 with a .531 OPS over 65 plate appearances.

Once hailed as one of MLB’s top prospects while playing for the New York Mets, Kelenic has had a rocky path in the major leagues, initially joining the Seattle Mariners in a trade that involved closer Edwin Diaz and former Met Robinson Cano.

During his time with Seattle, he hit only .204, with 32 home runs and 109 runs batted in over three seasons before shifting to Atlanta prior to the 2024 season.

As the Braves navigate their 2025 season, Kelenic’s journey underscores the challenges that many young players face in maintaining performance and consistency at the highest level of competition.

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