The Atlanta Braves were handed a significant setback as their standout third baseman, Austin Riley, underwent an MRI which revealed a fracture in his right hand. This unfortunate injury was the result of Riley being struck by a pitch from Los Angeles Angels reliever Jack Kochanowicz. With an expected recovery window of six to eight weeks, Riley's absence will be keenly felt by a Braves team already battling a slew of injuries.
A Season of Challenges
Riley's injury adds to a growing list of woes for the Braves' roster. The team has already been navigating the season without their ace Spencer Strider, whose campaign was curtailed after just two starts due to a UCL tear. In addition, All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies has been out of action for nearly a month with a wrist fracture, and Ronald Acuña Jr. has been sidelined with a season-ending ACL tear since early June. Even Max Fried, who returned from forearm neuritis, has struggled to regain his form on the mound.
Impact on Riley's Stellar Performance
Riley's absence is particularly impactful given his performance this season. Batting .256/.322/.461 with 19 home runs and 26 doubles over 110 games, Riley has been a cornerstone in the Braves' lineup. His numbers have seen a notable uptick since May 2024, improving to a more impressive .275/.339/.531. Heading into June, his slash line reflected early-season struggles at .228/.295/.353, but his resilience and ability to adjust have been a key aspect of his game.
Potential Timeline for Return
The timeline for Riley's return is crucial for the Braves' playoff aspirations. If he recovers on the quicker end of the estimate, there is a possibility he could return during the final week of the regular season. Such a scenario would potentially see Riley back in action during the Braves' three-game home series against the New York Mets starting on September 24. However, if his recovery extends to the full eight weeks, Riley would miss the remainder of the regular season and potentially be unavailable for the initial rounds of the postseason.
Braves' Playoff Push
As it stands, the Braves currently hold a tenuous two-game lead over the Mets for the third and final NL wild-card spot. Trailing closely behind, the San Francisco Giants are four games back, and the St. Louis Cardinals are five games behind in the wild-card race. Additionally, the Braves face a steep challenge in closing a seven-game gap on the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. Notably, the team has a strong pedigree, having clinched the NL East title for the past six seasons.
Next Man Up: Luke Williams
In Riley's absence, Luke Williams is expected to step up as the primary third baseman. The role comes with immense pressure given Riley's contributions, but the Braves will be hoping Williams can fill the void effectively as they continue their quest for postseason success.
The Braves find themselves at a critical juncture in the season, balancing the need to stay competitive in the wild-card race while managing the significant gaps left by their injured stars. Riley's potential late-season return could inject much-needed firepower, but until then, the Braves will need to rally around their remaining players.