The Atlanta Braves have been dealt yet another blow in a season already marred by injuries. The club's third baseman has undergone an MRI that revealed a fracture in his right hand, an injury sustained after being hit by a pitch from Los Angeles Angels reliever Jack Kochanowicz. The injury is expected to sideline him for the next six to eight weeks, placing his return this season in doubt.
A Tough Break For Riley and Braves
Riley's absence comes at a crucial juncture for the Braves, who are battling for a wild-card spot in the National League. Riley has shown improvement in his performance this year, batting .256/.322/.461 with 19 home runs and 26 doubles over 110 games. Since May 2024, he has further elevated his game, recording an impressive .275/.339/.531 slash line—a significant leap from his .228/.295/.353 heading into June.
If Riley recovers on the quicker end of the six to eight weeks estimate, he could potentially return during the final week of the regular season. This timeline would align with the Braves' critical 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 could be unavailable for the initial rounds of the postseason.
Cascading Injuries Hamper Braves' Aspirations
The Braves are no strangers to injury woes this season. Ace Spencer Strider's season was cut short after just two starts due to a UCL tear. All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies has been sidelined for nearly a month with a wrist fracture, and Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a season-ending ACL tear in early June. More recently, Max Fried has returned from forearm neuritis but continues to struggle to find his rhythm.
Despite these setbacks, the Braves are currently holding on to a precarious two-game lead over the Mets for the third and final NL wild-card spot. The San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals trail the Braves by four and five games, respectively, for that coveted position. Additionally, the Braves are striving to close a seven-game gap on the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East, a division they have dominated, clinching the title for the past six seasons.
Next Men Up
In Riley's absence, Luke Williams is expected to step in as the Braves' primary third baseman. The team will rely heavily on the next man up philosophy as they navigate this challenging part of the season. With the depth of their injury list, every available player will need to elevate their game to keep the Braves' playoff hopes alive.
As the Braves await Riley's recovery, the team and its fan base will be closely monitoring his progress. The hope is that he can defy the usual expectations and make a quicker return, potentially injecting much-needed energy into the team at a critical time. Whether or not Riley can make it back in time for the postseason, his contributions this season have already demonstrated his importance to the Braves' lineup.
The Braves' resilience will be tested in the coming weeks as they continue to navigate a season filled with adversity. With the postseason in sight, every game will carry significant weight for a team looking to overcome the odds and secure a place among the league's elite. The Braves have faced and conquered challenges before, and they'll need to draw on that experience as they aim to finish the season strong.