When is Lourdes Gurriel Jr. targeting for his return after ACL surgery?

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is aiming for an Opening Day return on March 26, despite initial fears he would miss more than half the season.

What new drills are the Diamondbacks using in spring training?

The Diamondbacks are using new drills with mannequins and gongs to add fun, competition, urgency, and accuracy to defensive practice.

How will the Diamondbacks manage the ABS challenge system?

Manager Torey Lovullo plans to primarily rely on catchers to make challenges early in games, saving them for key late-game situations.

Home / Sports / Gurriel Jr. Races Towards Opening Day Return

Gurriel Jr. Races Towards Opening Day Return

14 Feb

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Summary

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is ahead of schedule in ACL recovery.
He aims for an Opening Day return, defying initial fears.
New drills add fun and competition to Diamondbacks' training.

Diamondbacks left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is demonstrating impressive progress in his recovery from ACL surgery, five months after the procedure. Initially feared to miss a significant portion of the 2026 season, Gurriel is now targeting an Opening Day return on March 26. Manager Torey Lovullo expressed pleasant surprise at Gurriel's rapid advancement, noting his ability to run the bases. However, Lovullo also stressed the importance of a careful approach to prevent setbacks.

The team has not provided a definitive timeline for Gurriel's return, though general manager Mike Hazen suggested he might initially serve as a designated hitter. Gurriel confirmed he is hitting and running at full speed, having begun both activities in recent months. This aggressive recovery timeline is a positive development for the club.

In other team news, infield coach Shawn Larkin introduced a new drill using mannequins with gongs to enhance urgency and accuracy during defensive practice. This creative approach, involving competitive team play, has added an element of fun to training sessions. Manager Torey Lovullo is also strategizing the use of the ABS challenge system, leaning towards catchers making initial challenges to preserve them for crucial late-game situations.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.

Gurriel Jr. Races Towards Opening Day Return

14 Feb

•

Summary

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is ahead of schedule in ACL recovery.
He aims for an Opening Day return, defying initial fears.
New drills add fun and competition to Diamondbacks' training.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.