The Braves' Injury Woes Continue: Riley Out with Fractured Right Hand
In a season riddled with injuries, the Atlanta Braves have taken another significant hit. Their third baseman underwent an MRI, confirming a fracture in his right hand. This unfortunate injury was the result of being struck by a pitch from Los Angeles Angels reliever Jack Kochanowicz. Expected to sideline him for the next six to eight weeks, this adds another layer of challenge to the Braves' already tumultuous season.
Riley's Season Performance
Before his injury, Riley was having a solid year at the plate. Across 110 games, he posted a batting line of .256/.322/.461, hit 19 home runs, and added 26 doubles to his stats. Impressively, since May 2024, Riley managed to elevate his numbers to .275/.339/.531, a significant improvement from his earlier season slash line of .228/.295/.353 heading into June.
The timing of Riley's injury could not be more critical. If he manages to recover on the quicker end of the estimate, there's hope that he might return during the final week of the regular season. This potential comeback could coincide with the Braves' three-game home series against the New York Mets starting on September 24. However, if his recovery stretches to the full eight weeks, Riley would miss the remainder of the regular season and potentially the initial rounds of the postseason.
The Braves' Injury Plagued Season
Riley's injury is the latest in a string of misfortunes for the Braves' roster this year. Ace pitcher Spencer Strider's season was cut short after just two starts due to a UCL tear. All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies has been on the injured list for nearly a month with a wrist fracture. Moreover, Ronald Acuña Jr. has been out since early June following a season-ending ACL tear. Even Max Fried, who recently returned from forearm neuritis, has struggled to regain his rhythm on the mound.
Despite these significant setbacks, the Braves have managed to stay competitive. They currently hold a narrow two-game lead over the Mets for the third and final NL wild-card spot. The San Francisco Giants trail the Braves by four games, with the St. Louis Cardinals five games behind in the wild-card race.
Chasing the Phillies in the NL East
While the Braves have their sights set on securing a wild-card spot, they are also striving to close the seven-game gap on the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. It's a tall order, especially given their injury-ravaged roster. Nevertheless, the Braves have demonstrated resilience, having clinched the NL East title for the past six seasons. This year's campaign, however, looks to be their most challenging yet.
In Riley's absence, Luke Williams is expected to step in as the primary third baseman. Williams will need to rise to the occasion, providing stability both on defense and at the plate as the Braves fight to maintain their position in the playoff race.
The Braves’ season has been a testament to their depth and determination. Yet, with key players sidelined and critical games ahead, the team's resilience will be tested like never before. Riley's return could be pivotal, but for now, the Braves must navigate the next several weeks without one of their star players. The road ahead is daunting, but if the Braves have shown anything this season, it's that they're not going down without a fight.