The Atlanta Braves have plenty of reasons to be optimistic for the upcoming MLB season, and one of the biggest is the prospect of a fully healthy year from Ronald Acuna Jr.
The 28‑year‑old right fielder played in just 95 games last season due to injuries and still took home National League Comeback Player of the Year honors along with his fifth career All‑Star selection.
He posted a .290 batting average, .417 on‑base percentage, .935 OPS, 21 home runs and 42 RBIs. Even so, his performance alone was not enough to push the Braves back into the postseason. That was partly due to several teammates falling short of expectations, including second baseman Ozzie Albies.
Albies is looking to return to form in 2026 and provide the support Acuna needs at the top of the lineup. It is also an important year for Albies individually, as another season resembling last year’s struggles could lead the Braves to decline his $7 million club option for 2027.
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Both Acuna and Albies are entering pivotal seasons. But over the past two weeks, neither was in camp. Instead, they were competing in the World Baseball Classic for their respective countries, Acuna for Venezuela and Albies for the Netherlands.
The two even faced off in pool play, with Venezuela defeating the Netherlands 6‑2. Apparently, Acuna and Albies had a friendly wager that the losing player would have to wear the other’s national team jersey.
That bet came to life on Friday when both players returned to Braves camp. Acuna posted a photo on his Instagram story showing his Venezuelan jersey and gold medal hanging in Albies' locker. Moments later, he shared a video of Albies wearing the jersey, which immediately drew attention.
Speaking with reporters, Albies said, “I lost a bet" (Gabe Burns of Atlanta Journal-Constitution). It was all lighthearted fun between two players who have spent the past eight years as teammates in Atlanta.
Both have experienced plenty of success as well, with Albies earning three All‑Star selections and two Silver Sluggers, and Acuna winning National League Rookie of the Year and MVP honors.
With both players officially back in camp, the Braves can now shift their focus toward building the lineup around the duo that remains central to their hopes of returning to the postseason.
