© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
PHOENIX – When Lourdes Gurriel Jr. stepped into the cage this week, it wasn’t just routine batting practice. It was a breath of fresh air and sigh of relief for him, and for D-backs fans after he suffered a torn right ACL injury late last season.
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Aug 11, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks designated hitter Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (12) during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. gets batting practice reps in:
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. back at the plate. pic.twitter.com/XJZE0VlBgn
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) February 13, 2026
On Sept. 1st last season against the Texas Rangers, Gurriel Jr. tore his ACL while avoiding a collision with former D-backs outfielder Blaze Alexander, a split-second decision that protected a teammate but cost him his season. Standard recovery timelines for ACL injuries run 9–12 months, particularly for position players who rely on rotational torque and lateral explosiveness.
Sep 1, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona outfielder Gurriel Jr. (12) is attended to by his teammates after his injury in the sixth inning during the game between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
That’s why the video of Gurriel Jr. getting batting practice work matters. Hitting is often a tough physical hurdle in ACL rehab because it demands lower-half stability. The back knee must anchor as the front leg must brace. Generating power without compensating is the true test. Bat speed returning this early suggests strength benchmarks are being met ahead of schedule.
Sep 1, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Gurriel Jr. (12) at bat in the first inning during the game between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images
Manager Torey Lovullo has noted that Gurriel Jr.’s progress is ahead of schedule, citing daily work ethic and conditioning gains. For Arizona, that’s strategically significant. Gurriel Jr. isn’t just a lineup piece; he’s run production. Before the injury, he was a middle-order stabilizer who lengthened at-bats and punished mistakes. For Arizona fans, recovery isn’t linear, but visible progress reduces uncertainty. It reshapes roster projections and also restores clubhouse energy, as Gurriel Jr. has become a clubhouse leader over his time in the desert. In a season where margins matter, any chance of an early return would bring back a major piece of the puzzle for Arizona.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
