Diamondbacks' Gurriel Jr. Surprises with Early Return from Knee Surgery

The outfielder is participating in baseball activities just five months after undergoing ACL repair.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Five months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee, Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has been going through drills and surprising the team with his rapid progress at Spring Training. While the team is being cautious about a timeline for his return, Gurriel is aiming to be back by Opening Day, defying initial expectations that he could miss more than half the 2026 season.

Why it matters

Gurriel's speedy recovery is an unexpected boost for the Diamondbacks, who were bracing for a lengthy absence. His potential early return could provide a major lift to the team's lineup and outfield defense as they aim to compete in the NL West.

The details

Gurriel, 32, began hitting a couple months ago and started running about a month ago. He says he is already running at full speed. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has seen Gurriel running the bases and doing drills, saying he was "pleasantly surprised" by the progress. However, Lovullo is still cautious about rushing Gurriel back, wanting to avoid any setbacks or inflammation that could delay his return further.

  • Gurriel underwent knee surgery in September 2025.
  • Gurriel began hitting a couple months ago.
  • Gurriel started running about a month ago.
  • Gurriel's first official workout with the team is scheduled for February 15, 2026.
  • The Diamondbacks' Opening Day is set for March 26, 2026.

The players

Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

A 32-year-old outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks who is recovering from ACL surgery on his right knee.

Torey Lovullo

The manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Mike Hazen

The general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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What they’re saying

“I prepared very well, had a really good offseason. I'm just going to leave that in the hands of the medical team that makes those decisions.”

— Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (azcentral.com)

“We've got to be really careful with Lourdes. We don't want him to come back too soon and have a flare-up or inflammation, and now he's playing catch-up through the early months of his return. When that is, I don't know.”

— Torey Lovullo, Manager (azcentral.com)

What’s next

The Diamondbacks will continue to monitor Gurriel's progress and work closely with the medical team to determine the best timeline for his return to game action.

The takeaway

Gurriel's rapid recovery from a serious knee injury is an encouraging sign for the Diamondbacks, who could get a major boost to their lineup and outfield defense if he is able to return close to his original timeline. However, the team is wisely taking a cautious approach to ensure Gurriel's long-term health and avoid any setbacks.