Braves exercise options on Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies

HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 18: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated by Ozzie Albies #1 after a play in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on September 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) Tim WarnerOutfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.’s $17 million option was exercised Thursday by the Atlanta Braves, who exercised a $7 million option on second baseman Ozzie Albies.Acuña, a five-time All-Star and the 2023 NL MVP, agreed in 2019 to a $100 million, eight-year contract that included the 2027 option, which had a $10 million buyout, and a $17 million option for 2028, which has no buyout.[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]Albies agreed in 2019 to $35 million, seven-year contract that included $7 million options for 2026 and 2027 that raised the value to $45 million over nine seasons.Acuña hit .255 with 20 homers, 55 RBIs and 21 stolen bases this year. A strained left hamstring sidelined the 28-year-old between May 2 and 19, and between June 10 and July 27.Albies, a 29-year-old four-time All-Star, batted a career-low .237 with 22 homers and 73 RBIs. He was among seven players who appeared in all 162 of his team’s games.[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]