The Atlanta Braves have dealt with their fair share of injuries this season, and the latest blow comes with the news that their standout third baseman, Austin Riley, will be sidelined for the next six to eight weeks. An MRI revealed that Riley sustained a fracture in his right hand after being hit by a pitch from Los Angeles Angels reliever Jack Kochanowicz.
Riley has been a pivotal player for the Braves this season, with his performance characterized by a .256/.322/.461 batting line, including 19 home runs and 26 doubles over 110 games. His numbers have steadily improved throughout the year, demonstrating a .275/.339/.531 slash line since May 2024. Riley’s early-season struggles saw him entering June with a .228/.295/.353 line, reflecting his impressive turnaround as the season progressed.
For the Braves, Riley's injury comes at a critical juncture. If he manages to recover on the faster end of the six to eight-week estimate, he could return for the final week of the regular season. This potential comeback might coincide with an important 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 not only miss the remainder of the regular season but also be a significant doubt for the initial rounds of the postseason.
The loss of Riley adds to a growing list of key players sidelined for the Braves. This season has already seen their ace, Spencer Strider, making just two starts before a UCL tear ended his year. All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies has been absent for nearly a month due to a wrist fracture, while Ronald Acuña Jr. has been out since early June with a season-ending ACL tear. Additionally, pitcher Max Fried returned from forearm neuritis but has struggled to regain his rhythm.
Despite these setbacks, the Braves remain in a competitive position. They're currently holding a two-game lead over the Mets for the third and final NL wild-card spot. Trailing them are the San Francisco Giants, who are four games behind, and the St. Louis Cardinals, five games back. The Braves are also striving to close a seven-game gap on the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies. Notably, the Braves have clinched the NL East title for the past six seasons, a streak they hope to extend despite their injury woes.
In Riley's absence, Luke Williams is expected to assume the role of primary third baseman. Williams, who has shown versatility in his limited appearances, will have the daunting task of filling Riley's shoes during this crucial stretch of the season. His performance could be pivotal in maintaining the Braves' competitive edge as they navigate the remaining games without one of their key sluggers.
The Braves' resilience will undoubtedly be tested as they aim to secure their playoff berth and possibly make a deep postseason run. The team will need collective efforts from their remaining healthy players to compensate for the loss of key figures like Riley, Albies, and Acuña Jr. As they vie to maintain their wild-card spot and challenge for the NL East title, the tenacity and depth of the Braves will be on full display.