The Atlanta Braves are facing yet another major setback as their third baseman, Austin Riley, has been diagnosed with a fracture in his right hand. The injury, which occurred after being hit by a pitch from Los Angeles Angels reliever Jack Kochanowicz, is expected to sideline Riley for six to eight weeks.
This timing is particularly unfortunate for Riley, who has been on an upward trajectory. Over 110 games this season, he's posted a batting line of .256/.322/.461, with 19 home runs and 26 doubles. His performance has only improved since May 2024, with numbers increasing to .275/.339/.531. Considering Riley's slash line was .228/.295/.353 heading into June, his recent improvements have been notable.
Impact on the Braves
The loss of Riley couldn’t come at a worse moment for the Braves, who are already navigating an injury-plagued season. Spencer Strider, the team's ace, managed just two starts before a UCL tear ended his season. All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies hasn't played for nearly a month due to a wrist fracture. Ronald Acuña Jr. has been out since early June because of a season-ending ACL tear. Even Max Fried, who recently returned from forearm neuritis, has struggled to find his rhythm, compounding the Braves' injury woes.
The team currently holds a precarious two-game lead over the Mets for the third and final NL wild-card spot. Beyond the Mets, the San Francisco Giants trail the Braves by four games, and the St. Louis Cardinals are five games back in the wild-card race. In the divisional race, the Braves are striving to close a seven-game gap on the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. Notably, the Braves have clinched the NL East title for the past six seasons, and this streak is in jeopardy without the services of key players.
Luke Williams to Step Up
In Riley's absence, Luke Williams is expected to take over as the primary third baseman. Williams will have substantial shoes to fill; however, this could be his moment to stand out in a season that has been riddled with challenges for the Braves.
Possible Return Timelines
Returning to Riley, if he recovers on the quicker end of the six to eight-week estimate, there's a chance he could be back in time for the final week of the regular season. His potential return could occur during 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.
Given the tight competition for the wild-card spot, the Braves will need to pull together and find performance from unexpected places. Their resilience will be tested, but the stakes have never been higher as they aim to continue their tradition of postseason appearances.
All eyes will be on how the Braves navigate these next crucial weeks. Whether they lean on their depth or make strategic moves to bolster their lineup, the direction of their season hangs in the balance. The only certainty is that Atlanta's road ahead is fraught with challenges, making the determination and grit of the remaining roster pivotal.