Acuna Jr. confidently says his knee is healthy for 2026.
Ronald Acuna Jr. has been one of the most exciting players in baseball when he is on the field.
The problem is that "when healthy" has become a recurring phrase attached to his name.
After two torn ACLs in three years, the Atlanta Braves superstar is determined to change that narrative in 2026, and he wasted no time getting that message out during Spring Training.
Speaking to MLB Network at the Braves' facility in North Port, Florida, Acuna kept it simple and confident.
"I feel comfortable, my knee feels healthy... let's see what happens this year," he said.
For a player who has battled back from a torn right ACL in 2021 and a torn left ACL in May 2024, those words carry a lot of weight.
A Rough Stretch for Atlanta's Star
The last two seasons have been tough for Braves fans who remember what Acuna looked like in 2023, when he became the first player in MLB history to record 40-plus home runs and 70-plus stolen bases in the same season and won the National League MVP unanimously.
Then came the injuries.
He tore his left ACL in Pittsburgh in May 2024, ending his season after just 49 games. He returned in late May of 2025 and showed flashes of his old self, slashing .290/.417/.518 with 21 home runs and 42 RBIs across 95 games, but a calf strain midseason cost him more time.
The Braves finished 76-86, well outside the playoff picture, falling to fourth place in the NL East after years of being one of the best teams in baseball.
Why the Braves Can Get Back to Contention
The theme around Atlanta this spring is a fresh start, and it goes beyond just Acuña.
New manager Walt Weiss has taken over the dugout and has already confirmed that Acuna will return to the leadoff spot, a sign that the organization believes he can be the dynamic table-setter he was in 2023.
Spencer Strider is working his way back to form, Ozzie Albies is looking to bounce back at the plate, and the rotation features Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez and Grant Holmes all hoping to stay healthy.
If everything clicks, Atlanta has the talent to compete in the NL East again.
The big question is whether Acuña can stay on the field. He has only appeared in 120 or more games twice in his career.
But there is reason for optimism. Analysts have noted that Acuna looks sharper two years removed from his left ACL surgery than he did after his right ACL surgery in 2022, which bodes well for a full 162-game run.
Some have even floated the possibility of him challenging for another 40-40 season, which would make him the first player ever to do it twice.
He is signed through 2026 with club options in 2027 and 2028 at $17 million each, making him one of the most team-friendly deals for a superstar in baseball.
The future of this franchise runs through him, and right now, he sounds ready to deliver.