The Atlanta Braves have been met with a slew of unfortunate injuries this season, and the latest to hit the team is a significant blow. The Braves' third baseman underwent an MRI which revealed a fracture in his right hand. This injury, sustained after being hit by a pitch from Los Angeles Angels reliever Jack Kochanowicz, is expected to sideline him for the next six to eight weeks.
Riley's injury comes at a crucial time for the Braves as they are in the midst of a tight race for a postseason spot. Riley, who has been batting .256/.322/.461 with 19 home runs and 26 doubles over 110 games, has shown marked improvement since May 2024, boasting numbers of .275/.339/.531. His injury timeline puts his potential return around the end of September, just as the regular season is winding down.
Impact on the Team
If Riley recovers on the quicker end of the estimate, he could possibly return during the final week of the regular season. This would coincide with 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 could be unavailable for the initial rounds of the postseason.
Luke Williams is expected to take over as the primary third baseman in Riley's absence. Williams has big shoes to fill, and his performance could be pivotal in the Braves’ fight for a postseason berth.
Other Injuries Plaguing the Braves
Riley’s injury adds to an already extensive list of Braves players who have spent time on the injured list this season. The team has been without ace Spencer Strider, whose season was cut short after just two starts due to a UCL tear. All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies has not played for nearly a month because of a wrist fracture. In addition, Ronald Acuña Jr., a key component of the Braves' offense, has been out since early June with a season-ending ACL tear. Even Max Fried, who recently returned from forearm neuritis, has struggled to find his pitch rhythm since his return.
Current Standings and Outlook
The Braves currently hold a two-game lead over the Mets for the third and final NL wild-card spot. The San Francisco Giants trail the Braves by four games, and the St. Louis Cardinals are five games behind in the race for the wild-card spot. Despite their challenges, the Braves continue to strive towards shortening the seven-game gap on the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. Impressively, the Braves have clinched the NL East title for the past six seasons, demonstrating their resilience and tenacity as a team.
The Braves' management and fans are undoubtedly hoping for a swift recovery for Riley, wishing to see him back on the field as they aim for the postseason. As they battle through adversity this season, the depth and resilience of their roster will be tested to the fullest.