The Atlanta Braves are facing a tough stretch as their third baseman, Austin Riley, will be sidelined for an extensive period due to a fracture in his right hand. The injury was revealed after an MRI following a hit-by-pitch incident from Los Angeles Angels reliever Jack Kochanowicz. Riley is anticipated to be out of action for the next six to eight weeks.
Riley has been a solid contributor for the Braves this season, maintaining a batting line of .256/.322/.461 with 19 home runs and 26 doubles over 110 games. Despite a slow start to the season—his slash line was .228/.295/.353 heading into June—Riley has significantly improved his performance since May 2024, batting .275/.339/.531.
Implications of Riley's Absence
The injury to Riley compounds an already challenging season for the Braves, who have been hampered by injuries to several key players. Ace pitcher Spencer Strider's season ended prematurely after just two starts due to a UCL tear. All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies has been out for nearly a month with a wrist fracture. Adding to their woes, Ronald Acuña Jr. has been out since early June due to a season-ending ACL tear. While Max Fried has returned from forearm neuritis, he has struggled to regain his form.
With Riley likely sidelined, the Braves are preparing for a reshuffle. Luke Williams is expected to take over as the primary third baseman in Riley's stead. This change underscores the depth issues the Braves are facing as they continue to make a push for the playoffs.
Playoff Implications
Time is of the essence for Riley's recovery. If he can return on the quicker end of the six to eight-week estimate, there is a chance he could be back for the final week of the regular season. This potential comeback could align with the Braves' crucial three-game home series against the New York Mets starting on September 24.
However, if Riley's recovery extends to the full eight weeks, he will miss the remainder of the regular season and might be unavailable for the initial rounds of the postseason. This scenario would be a significant blow to the Braves' playoff hopes, given Riley's contributions both offensively and defensively.
The Braves currently hold a precarious two-game lead over the Mets for the third and final NL wild-card spot. The San Francisco Giants are trailing the Braves by four games, with the St. Louis Cardinals five games behind. Additionally, the Braves are striving to close a seven-game gap on the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. Having clinched the NL East title for the past six seasons, the Braves are determined to continue this tradition despite the mounting challenges.
As the Braves navigate through these turbulent times, the team's resilience and depth will be tested. The upcoming weeks will be critical as they strive to secure their spot in the playoffs and make a push for yet another NL East title.