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Injuries continue to make the Atlanta Braves' 2024 season difficult and disappointing. The latest setback is third baseman Austin Riley suffering a fractured right hand that is expected to keep him out for six to eight weeks, The team announced on Monday.
That schedule could mean Riley will miss the rest of the season. If the Braves make the postseason — they’re currently third in the National League by two games — he should be available. However, Riley’s absence from Atlanta’s lineup could also be a major factor in whether or not the team retains a wild-card spot.
Riley, 27, is hitting .256 with a .783 OPS this season with 26 doubles, 19 home runs and 56 RBIs. While that production is down significantly from his past two All-Star seasons, his home run total still ranks third among Braves hitters behind Marcell Ozuna (36) and Matt Olson (21).
Austin Riley underwent an MRI today that revealed a fracture in his right hand. He is expected to be out for six to eight weeks.
Additionally, the club today returned right-handed pitcher Reynaldo Lopez from rehab and returned him to the injured list, and also optioned…
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 19, 2024
The six-year veteran left Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning when he was hit in the right wrist by a 97-mph fastball from Jack Kochanovich. X-rays taken Sunday were inconclusive, according to Atlanta Braves coach Brian Snitker, but an MRI scan Monday confirmed the fracture.
Riley's injury is the latest in a series of dire circumstances for the Braves this season.
In April, Spencer Strider, the team’s star catcher and a contender for the National League’s Sa Young Award, underwent season-ending elbow surgery. Ronald Acuña Jr., the National League’s Most Valuable Player, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while running bases in late May. Second baseman Ozzie Albaez fractured his wrist in late July and is expected to be out until late September.
Center fielder Michael Harris II returned to the Braves’ lineup last week after missing two months with a hamstring injury, while pitcher Max Fried recently returned from a forearm injury with neuritis. Center fielder Sean Murphy missed time earlier this season with an oblique muscle injury. Jorge Soler (hamstring) and Travis d’Arnaud (wrist) also missed recent games.
Luke Williams is expected to replace Riley at third base, but he’s hitting .118 with a .328 OPS, which could force Atlanta to look elsewhere. Whit Merrifield has played third base, but has replaced Albaez at second. That could leave either Brian Anderson or Alejo Lopez to be called up from Gwinnett’s third-base team.
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