Overview
- Weiss confirmed on Feb. 22 that Acuña will return to the top of Atlanta’s lineup for 2026.
- The No. 2 spot remains open with Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson and Jurickson Profar under consideration, and Weiss is comfortable batting Baldwin and Olson back-to-back versus lefties.
- A spring look featured Acuña leading off followed by Baldwin, Olson and Profar, with Weiss indicating the Braves could use different lineups based on opposing handedness.
- Weiss described his aim as building a lineup ‘gauntlet’ that starts with Acuña to pressure pitchers from the first pitch.
- Acuña says his knee feels healthy entering camp, while pitching depth is being tested with Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep expected to miss the opening stretch.