The Atlanta Braves are facing a significant setback as their third baseman, Austin Riley, is expected to be sidelined for the next six to eight weeks due to a fracture in his right hand. The injury occurred when Riley was struck by a pitch from Los Angeles Angels reliever Jack Kochanowicz. This unfortunate incident was confirmed by an MRI that revealed the extent of the fracture.
Riley's absence is a substantial blow to the Braves' lineup. Currently, Riley holds a batting line of .256/.322/.461 with 19 home runs and 26 doubles over 110 games. Since May 2024, Riley has noticeably elevated his performance, improving his numbers to .275/.339/.531. This enhancement in his play was a marked improvement from his slash line heading into June, which stood at .228/.295/.353.
With the potential of Riley’s return hinging on the speed of his recovery, there is a slim chance he might be back for the final week of the regular season. If Riley recovers on the quicker end of the projection, he could rejoin the team around September 24 during their three-game home series against the New York Mets. However, should his recovery extend to the full eight weeks, Riley would miss the remainder of the regular season and may be unavailable for the initial rounds of the postseason.
Injuries Plague Braves' Season
The Braves have been riddled with injuries throughout the season, and Riley's setback adds to their challenges. Ace pitcher Spencer Strider is out for the season due to a UCL tear after just two starts. Furthermore, All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies hasn't played in nearly a month because of a wrist fracture. Ronald Acuña Jr. also suffered a season-ending ACL tear in early June. To compound these issues, Max Fried, who returned from forearm neuritis, has struggled to regain his form.
These injuries have undoubtedly had an impact on the Braves' performance and their quest for a playoff spot. Currently, they hold a two-game lead over the Mets for the third and final NL wild-card spot. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants trail the Braves by four games, and the St. Louis Cardinals are five games behind.
Playoff Push Intensifies
Despite the injuries and challenges, the Braves are striving to close a seven-game gap on the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. The team has clinched the NL East title for the past six seasons, and this year, they intend to maintain that streak despite the hurdles. This makes each game in the final stretch of the season crucial for Atlanta.
In Riley's absence, Luke Williams is expected to take over as the primary third baseman. Williams faces the immense task of filling the void left by Riley's injury, and his performance will be pivotal for the Braves as they navigate these final weeks of the regular season.
The Braves' resilience will be tested as they push for a playoff berth amidst a wave of injuries. Riley's potential return could provide a much-needed boost if timed perfectly with the postseason push. The coming weeks will be crucial for the Braves, who are battling not just for a wild-card spot, but to surmount their adversities and make a strong postseason run.