Braves’ Austin Riley expected to miss 6-8 weeks with broken right hand

Injuries continue to plague the Atlanta Braves’ 2024 season, with the latest setback being third baseman Austin Riley suffering a broken right hand that is expected to sideline him for six to eight weeks. the team announced on monday.

That timeline could mean Riley misses the rest of the season. If the Braves make it to the postseason — and they currently hold the National League’s third wild-card bid by two games — he should be available. Still, Riley’s absence from Atlanta’s lineup could be a major factor in whether the team holds onto that wild-card spot.

Riley, 27, is hitting .256 with a .783 OPS this season, with 26 doubles, 19 home runs and 56 RBI. While that production is significantly down from his last two All-Star seasons, his home run total still ranks third among Braves hitters, behind Marcell Ozuna (36) and Matt Olson (21).

The six-year veteran left Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning after being hit in the right wrist by a 97 mph fastball from Jack Kochanowicz. X-rays taken Sunday were inconclusive, Braves manager Brian Snitker said, but an MRI exam on Monday confirmed the fracture.

Riley’s injury is the latest in a series of dire circumstances for the Braves this season.

In April, staff ace and National League Cy Young Award candidate Spencer Strider underwent season-ending elbow surgery. Reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while running the bases in late May. Second baseman Ozzie Albies broke his wrist in late July and is expected to be out until late September.

Outfielder Michael Harris II returned to the Braves’ lineup last week after being sidelined for two months with a hamstring injury, and pitcher Max Fried recently returned from an IL stint with neuritis in his forearm. Catcher Sean Murphy missed time earlier this season with an oblique strain. Jorge Soler (hamstring) and Travis d’Arnaud (wrist) have also missed recent games.

Utility man 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 at other options. Whit Merrifield has played third base, but he replaced Albies at second base. That could mean Brian Anderson or Alejo Lopez are called up from Triple-A Gwinnett.