The Atlanta Braves Suffer Major Blow with Third Baseman Austin Riley’s Injury
The injury-plagued Atlanta Braves have sustained another major blow, as they announced on Monday that third baseman Austin Riley will miss the rest of the regular season after breaking his right hand.
Riley was struck by a 97 mph fastball from Los Angeles Angels starter Jack Kochanowicz in the first inning of Atlanta’s 3-1 victory. An MRI confirmed the fracture, which will keep Riley out of action for six to eight weeks, effectively ending his regular season and potentially impacting his availability for the playoffs if the Braves qualify.
Despite the setback, the Braves still hold a two-game lead over the New York Mets for the final wild-card spot as they head into a crucial three-game series against the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies.
The Braves have overcome several significant injuries this season, including losing NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. and pitching ace Spencer Strider to season-ending injuries. Other key players like second baseman Ozzie Albies, center fielder Michael Harris II, and catcher Sean Murphy have also missed significant time.
This is the second setback for Riley this season, who has been a key contributor with 19 homers and 56 RBIs in 110 games. The Braves now face a challenge in filling the void left by Riley’s absence, with limited options available after the trade deadline passed.
Despite the challenges, the Braves received some positive news with Reynaldo López being recalled from his rehab assignment to start the series opener against the Phillies. López, who made the All-Star Game for the first time this season, will provide a much-needed boost to the pitching staff.
As the Braves navigate the rest of the regular season and look ahead to a potential playoff push, the team will need to rely on their depth and resilience to overcome the adversity they have faced this year.
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