The Atlanta Braves are facing another significant setback in a season already marred by injuries, as an MRI has confirmed a fracture in third baseman's right hand. The injury, sustained after being hit by a pitch from Los Angeles Angels reliever Jack Kochanowicz, is expected to sideline him for six to eight weeks.
Impact on Riley and the Braves
The timing of this injury is particularly unfortunate for Riley, who has been a key component of the Braves' lineup. His current season performance includes a .256/.322/.461 slash line with 19 home runs and 26 doubles over 110 games. Riley has shown marked improvement since May 2024, posting numbers of .275/.339/.531. These statistics reflect a significant uptick from his early-season slash line of .228/.295/.353 heading into June.
If Riley manages to recover on the quicker side of the six to eight-week estimate, he could make a return during the final week of the regular season. The Braves have their eyes set on a three-game home series against the New York Mets starting on September 24, a potential target for Riley's comeback. However, should his recovery extend to the full eight weeks, Riley would likely miss the remainder of the regular season and be questionable for the initial rounds of the postseason.
Other Injuries Plaguing the Braves
Riley's injury is not the first blow to the Braves this season. The team has already been dealing with the absence of ace Spencer Strider, who made just two starts before a UCL tear ended his season. Adding to the Braves' woes, All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies has been out of action for nearly a month due to a wrist fracture, and Ronald Acuña Jr. has been sidelined since early June with a season-ending ACL tear. Even Max Fried, who recently returned from forearm neuritis, has struggled to find his rhythm since his comeback.
Wild Card Race and Team Dynamics
Currently, the Braves hold a slender two-game lead over the Mets for the third and final National League wild-card spot. The San Francisco Giants trail the Braves by four games, and the St. Louis Cardinals by five games, in the increasingly tense wild-card race. The Braves also aim to close a seven-game gap on the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East, a division they have dominated for the past six seasons, clinching the title each time.
In Riley's absence, Luke Williams is expected to step in as the primary third baseman. Williams will be tasked with holding down the hot corner and contributing offensively to help keep the Braves in playoff contention.
The Braves, whose resilience and depth have been tested throughout this injury-ridden season, will once again need to rely on their next-man-up mentality. As they aim to secure a postseason berth and possibly chase another NL East title, every game and every player's contribution will be crucial in the weeks to come.