The Atlanta Braves have been dealt yet another crushing blow. The team announced Monday that an MRI on Austin Riley’s right hand revealed a fracture. He is expected to miss approximately six to eight weeks.
Austin Riley today underwent an MRI that revealed a right hand fracture. He is expected to miss approximately six to eight weeks.
Additionally, the club today returned RHP Reynaldo López from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the injured list, and optioned…
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 19, 2024
Riley suffered the injury when he was hit in the hand by a pitch in the first inning of Sunday’s game against the Angels. The injury is the latest blow to a team that has dealt with multiple to key players since the start of the season. The announcement comes just as the Braves are getting set to begin a three-game series at home against the NL East leading Phillies.
Six weeks would take Riley to the end of the regular season and eight would likely knock him out for the start of the postseason. The Braves currently have a two-game edge over the New York Mets for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.
Riley has appeared in 110 games and was hitting .256/.322/.461 with 19 home runs and a 116 wRC+. The Braves haven’t officially placed Riley on the injured list yet and did not announce a corresponding move. That will come before Tuesday’s game against the Phillies.
