- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
North Port Today
By the People, for the People
Acuña Feeling '200 Percent' Healthy Ahead of 2026 Season
Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is confident his surgically-repaired knees will allow him to maximize his talents in 2026.
Published on Feb. 12, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
After tearing his ACL in 2021 and 2024, Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is feeling '200 percent' healthy and ready to maximize his talents in the 2026 season. Acuña, a 5-time All-Star, is looking to build on his incredible 2023 season where he hit 41 home runs and stole 73 bases. Braves manager Walt Weiss says Acuña is 'mentally and emotionally in a really good place' and ready to prove he's a Hall of Fame talent when healthy.
Why it matters
Acuña's health and production are crucial to the Braves' success. When healthy, he is one of the most dynamic players in baseball, capable of 40-homer, 70-steal seasons. After missing significant time the last few years due to ACL tears, Acuña's ability to stay on the field will be pivotal as the Braves look to contend for another playoff berth.
The details
Acuña began this week by appearing as an extra in his friend Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show. He then reported to Braves spring training feeling '200 percent' healthy, a testament to the progress he's made in recovering from his two ACL tears. Acuña had a monster 2023 season, hitting 41 homers and stealing 73 bases, but his production dipped in 2025 after suffering another ACL tear the previous year. With a full offseason to recover, Acuña is now focused on proving he can stay healthy and maximize his Hall of Fame-caliber talents.
- Acuña tore his right ACL in 2021.
- Acuña had an incredible 40-homer, 73-steal season in 2023.
- Acuña tore his left ACL in 2024, leading to inconsistent production in 2025.
- Acuña appeared as an extra in Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show earlier this week.
The players
Ronald Acuña Jr.
A 5-time MLB All-Star outfielder for the Atlanta Braves who is looking to bounce back from two ACL tears and maximize his Hall of Fame-caliber talents in 2026.
Walt Weiss
The manager of the Atlanta Braves, who says Acuña is 'mentally and emotionally in a really good place' heading into the 2026 season.
What they’re saying
“Ronald looks great. Mentally and emotionally, he's in a really good place. He's missed some time the last few years. We all know he's a Hall of Fame talent. But you've got to do it for a while, and he's certainly capable of doing that. He's like a bull that's ready for the door to open.”
— Walt Weiss, Braves Manager (mlb.com)
“No, no, I'm feeling 200 percent.”
— Ronald Acuña Jr. (mlb.com)
What’s next
Acuña will look to prove he can stay healthy and return to his MVP-caliber form in the 2026 season, as the Braves aim to contend for another playoff berth.
The takeaway
When healthy, Ronald Acuña Jr. is one of the most dynamic players in baseball, capable of 40-homer, 70-steal seasons. After missing significant time the last few years due to ACL tears, Acuña's ability to stay on the field will be crucial for the Braves' success in 2026 and beyond.
