Acuña criticizes Braves manager Snitker's response to Kelenic failing to hustle on long drive

ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. watched with interest when Jarred Kelenic was thrown out at second base after failing to hustle out of the batter's box on a long drive in the Atlanta Braves' 4-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night.

On Sunday, Acuña went to social media to criticize the way manager Brian Snitker handled the situation.

Acuña, recovering from surgery after tearing his left ACL last May, replied to a post on X by MLB.com reporter Mark Bowman on Sunday when Bowman was asked if Snitker had commented on Kelenic. Bowman posted that Snitker “protected Kelenic by replying: 'Was I supposed to' when asked if he had said anything to Kelenic.”

Acuña replied to Bowman's post “If it were me, they would take me out of the game.” The response by Acuña was removed about one hour later.

Snitker said after Sunday's 6-2 win over the Twins he didn't realize Kelenic failed to hustle on the play until Sunday.

“There’s no blanket thing,” said Snitker on his decisions on removing players for lack of hustle. “Quite honestly, you want to know the truth, I wasn’t watching that play. I knew he got thrown out at second. I didn’t see it until this morning and then I talked to him about it.”

Kelenic's drive on Saturday night bounced off the wall in right field and he was thrown out at second base by Trevor Larnach.

Acuña was removed from the Braves' 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 19, 2019. Then only 21 but already an All-Star, Acuña was slow to leave the batter's box on a long drive that bounced off the right-field wall for a long single.

Snitker waited one inning and then took out Acuña.

“He didn’t run. You’ve got to run,” Snitker said of Acuña after the 2019 game. “It’s not going to be acceptable here. As a teammate you’re responsible for 24 other guys. That name on the front is a lot more important than the name on the back of that jersey. You can’t do that. We’re trying to accomplish something and do something special here and personal things have got to be put on the backburner. You just can’t let your team down like that.”

When asked Sunday if he stood by his 2019 comment that failing to hustle is unacceptable, Snitker said “Yeah, if you don’t run and it’s a big time like that then yeah. But quite honestly I don’t look for (Kelenic) to not do it because he plays with his hair on fire all the time and he’s laying out. I didn’t know until I saw it this morning and I had a discussion with him and we got it squared away.”

When asked a follow-up question about Acuña's post, Snitker said “I didn’t see it and I haven’t talked with him and I heard it was taken down. I’m kind of into the fact that we swept the series and we’ve won three in a row right now.”

Acuña had his knee evaluated last week and has been cleared to begin cutting as he continues his rehabilitation. He could return to the Braves' lineup next month.

Acuña was hurt after 49 games last season and hit just .250 with four home runs, one year after winning the National League MVP with 41 home runs, 73 steals and a .337 batting average.

Kelenic, hitting only .180 after having one hit on Sunday, could lose his starting job when Acuña returns. The Braves had not won back-to-back games before sweeping the three-game series with the Twins as new leadoff hitter and left fielder Alex Verdugo got off to a quick start. Verdugo had four hits and drove in the go-ahead run on Saturday night and had one hit on Sunday.

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Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker (43) looks on after making a pitching change in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Friday, April 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker heads to the dugout during a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Atlanta Braves' Alex Verdugo (8) is greeted at the dugout by Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker (43) after scoring against the Minnesota Twins during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John David Mercer)

FILE - Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. stands in the dugout during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, on Aug. 17, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)

Atlanta Braves' Jarred Kelenic (24) dives into second base against Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa, right, during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Atlanta. After a review, Correa was ruled out on the play. (AP Photo/John David Mercer)

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jarred Kelenic (24) runs the bases against the Minnesota Twins trying to get to second base during the sixth inning in a baseball game at Truist Park, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ John David Mercer)

Atlanta Braves' Jarred Kelenic (24) dives into second base against Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa, right, during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Atlanta. After a review, Correa was ruled out on the play. (AP Photo/John David Mercer)

Atlanta Braves' Jarred Kelenic (24) dives into second base against Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa, left, during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Atlanta. After a review, Correa was ruled out on the play. (AP Photo/John David Mercer)

LONDON (AP) — Actor-comedian Russell Brand was granted conditional bail by a London court on Friday after appearing to face charges of rape and sexual assault involving four women.

Brand, 49, did not enter a plea. He previously denied the allegations made against him.

He was swarmed by photographers as he arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for his first hearing since he was charged last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told Brand to present himself at the Central Criminal Court, commonly known as the Old Bailey, in central London on May 30 and granted him bail on condition he keeps the court informed of where he is staying, either in the U.K. or in the U.S. He currently lives in Florida but is obliged to attend all future court appearances. If he doesn't abide by the conditions, he faces being remanded in custody.

The comedian, author and “Get Him To The Greek” actor, who wore an open shirt and jeans, listened intently to the details of the charges as he sat in the dock. He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and that he understood his bail conditions.

The alleged offenses took place between 1999 and 2005 — one in the English seaside town of Bournemouth and the other three in the Westminster area of central London. The accusers have not been identified.

Brand has been interviewed by police about the allegations, which he denies. Brand has denied engaging in “non-consensual activity.” In a video posted on X after he was charged, Brand said he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence.

Brand is alleged to have raped a woman in 1999 at a hotel room in Bournemouth when she attended a Labour Party conference in the town. It is alleged that while the woman went to the bathroom, Brand removed some of his clothing and later pushed her on the bed, removed her underwear and raped her.

A second woman accuses Brand of grabbing her by the forearm and attempting to drag her into a male toilet at a television station in London in 2001.

A third accuser was a television worker Brand met in Soho, central London, in 2004. He is accused of grabbing her breasts before allegedly pulling her into a toilet and orally raping her.

The final complainant is a radio station worker who met Brand while he was working for Channel 4 on a spin-off of the “Big Brother” reality television program between 2004 and 2005. Brand is alleged to have grabbed her by the face with both hands, pushed her against a wall and kissed her before grabbing her breasts and buttocks.

The charges follow a September 2023 joint investigation by British media outlets Channel 4 and the Sunday Times.

Known for his unbridled and risqué standup routines, Brand hosted shows on radio and television and wrote memoirs charting his battles with drugs and alcohol. He has appeared in several Hollywood movies and was briefly married to pop star Katy Perry between 2010 and 2012.

In recent years, Brand has largely disappeared from mainstream media but has built up a large following online with videos mixing wellness and conspiracy theories. He recently said he had moved to the United States.

Actor--comedian Russell Brand arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, to face charges of rape and sexual assault involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Russell Brand arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, where he faces, rape and sexual assault charges involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Russell Brand arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, where he faces, rape and sexual assault charges involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

A person takes a smart phone picture as Russell Brand arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, where he faces, rape and sexual assault charges involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Russell Brand arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, where he faces, rape and sexual assault charges involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Russell Brand surrounded by media as he arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, where he faces, rape and sexual assault charges involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Russell Brand escorted by police and surrounded by the media arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, where he faces, rape and sexual assault charges involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Russell Brand arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, where he faces, rape and sexual assault charges involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Actor--comedian Russell Brand arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, to face charges of rape and sexual assault involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)