The Atlanta Braves' postseason aspirations encountered a significant bump as third baseman Austin Riley was diagnosed with a fracture in his right hand following an MRI. The injury was the unfortunate result of Riley being hit by a pitch from Los Angeles Angels reliever, Jack Kochanowicz. This setback is expected to sideline the Braves' slugger for the next six to eight weeks, a timeline that could see him possibly returning for the tail end of the regular season or missing it entirely.
Riley's absence comes at a critical juncture for the Braves, who have already been dealing with a spate of injuries to key players throughout the season. Riley, who has put up a solid performance this year with a batting line of .256/.322/.461, including 19 home runs and 26 doubles over 110 games, has been particularly effective since May 2024. During this period, his numbers surged to .275/.339/.531, providing a much-needed boost to the Braves’ offense. This improvement was especially notable given his struggles earlier in the season, where he hit .228/.295/.353 heading into June.
Potential Impact on Season
If Riley manages to recover on the earlier side of the estimate, he could be back in action just in time for the Braves' three-game home series against the New York Mets starting on September 24. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a full eight-week recovery would likely sideline him for the remainder of the regular season and potentially the initial rounds of the postseason. This uncertainty adds to the Braves' growing list of injury concerns this season.
Riley’s injury is just the latest in a series of setbacks for Atlanta. The Braves have been navigating a challenging season without their ace, Spencer Strider, whose season was cut short after just two starts due to a UCL tear. All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies has also been shelved for nearly a month with a wrist fracture, and Ronald Acuña Jr.'s season ended prematurely after suffering an ACL tear in early June. Additionally, while Max Fried has returned from forearm neuritis, he has struggled to regain his dominant form.
Braves’ Playoff Picture
Despite these challenges, the Braves find themselves in a precarious yet hopeful position. They currently hold a two-game lead over the Mets for the third and final National League wild-card spot. Trailing the Braves by four games are the San Francisco Giants, with the St. Louis Cardinals another game back. Furthermore, Atlanta is aiming to close a seven-game gap on the division-leading Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. The Braves have a proud tradition of clinching the NL East title, having done so for the past six seasons, and that competitive spirit will undoubtedly drive them as the regular season winds down.
In Riley's absence, Luke Williams is expected to step in as the primary third baseman. Williams, who has shown flashes of potential, will now have the opportunity to prove his mettle in a high-stakes environment. His performance could be pivotal in determining the Braves' fortunes as they strive to secure a postseason berth.
This stretch will be a true test of resilience for the Braves, whose depth and adaptability have been repeatedly challenged. With Riley out, the focus will shift to other key contributors to step up and fill the void. If Atlanta can weather this latest storm and secure a playoff spot, Riley’s potential return in late September or early October could provide the Braves with a timely boost, adding an extra layer of excitement to their playoff push.
The coming weeks will be crucial for the Braves as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season without some of their pivotal players. The team's ability to adapt and overcome adversity will determine whether they can continue their string of successful campaigns and make a deep run in October.