Acuna: Watching Braves in NLCS 'one of the hardest moments' of career

Injured star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is having a tough time not playing with his Atlanta Braves in the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"Yeah, I'd probably have to say it's one of the hardest moments of my career, to be honest," Acuna said through an interpreter in his first interview since tearing his ACL in July, according to Gabriel Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Just to be here at the stadium and not be able to join my teammates out there in the field and play with them. But there's nothing you can do about that.

"So for me, it's just about being here and continuing to give them the support as if I were playing. And continue to give 200% and just keep supporting everyone the best way that I can."

The two-time All-Star could return to the Braves' lineup by May 2022. However, he isn't rushing his recovery process.

"I feel good. In the same sense, I feel about as good as I did two months ago. It's kind of just been a gradual process, but if I had to put a percentage on it, I would say maybe 70%," the 23-year-old said.

Acuna was enjoying another MVP-caliber season before the injury, hitting 24 home runs with 17 stolen bases and a .990 OPS over 82 games.