The Atlanta Braves face a challenging stretch as their third baseman, Austin Riley, is sidelined with a fracture in his right hand. The injury, revealed by an MRI, was sustained after Riley was hit by a pitch from Los Angeles Angels reliever Jack Kochanowicz. The prognosis suggests that Riley will be unavailable for the next six to eight weeks, adding to the Braves' mounting injury woes.
Riley's Impact and Recent Form
Prior to the injury, Riley was a crucial contributor to the Braves, batting .256/.322/.461 this season with 19 home runs and 26 doubles over 110 games. After a slow start, he significantly improved his numbers since May 2024 to .275/.339/.531. His performance heading into June was a more modest .228/.295/.353, demonstrating his ability to adjust and enhance his output as the season progressed.
If Riley meets the quicker end of the estimated recovery period, he might make a return for the Braves' final week of the regular season. This timing could coincide with a pivotal three-game home series against the New York Mets starting on September 24. However, should his recovery extend to the full eight weeks, Riley would miss the remainder of the regular season and potentially the early rounds of the postseason.
Braves' Injury Woes
Riley's injury is the latest in a series of significant setbacks for the Braves. Ace pitcher Spencer Strider had his season cut short after suffering a UCL tear just two starts into the year. All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies has been out for nearly a month due to a wrist fracture, and Ronald Acuña Jr. hasn’t played since early June following a season-ending ACL tear. Additionally, pitcher Max Fried has struggled to regain his form after returning from forearm neuritis.
Playoff Implications
Despite these injuries, the Braves are still in the playoff hunt, currently holding a two-game lead over the Mets for the third and final NL wild-card spot. Their nearest challengers, the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals, trail by four and five games, respectively. The Braves also strive to bridge a seven-game gap to the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. Notably, the team has clinched the NL East title for the past six seasons, showcasing their resilience and competitive spirit.
Next Man Up
With Riley out, Luke Williams is expected to step in as the primary third baseman. Williams will need to rise to the occasion and help fill the void left by Riley's absence. The Braves' depth will be tested as they navigate the remaining games of the regular season and aim for a postseason berth.
As the season progresses, the Braves and their fans will keep a close eye on Riley’s recovery, hopeful that he can return in time to make an impact during the final stretch. The team's ability to weather this storm of injuries will be crucial in determining their success in what remains of this challenging season.