Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (hand) will not return this season, according to manager Brian Snitker. Riley's hand simply was not healing fast enough after he had a CT scan on Monday. Even if the Braves sneak into the postseason in a wild-card spot, Riley will not be able to help them out in October. It's a big blow to a team that basically needs to win each game this week to have a shot at getting into the playoffs. The 27-year-old right-handed slugger is out with a fractured hand and will finish a disappointing year after making the All-Star squad in both 2022 and 2023. In 110 games played in 2024, he slashed .256/.322/.461 with a .783 OPS, 19 home run, 56 RBI and 63 runs scored. Riley had clubbed 30-plus homers in each of the previous three seasons. The slick-fielding Gio Urshela should be Atlanta's primary third baseman the rest of the way.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (hand) will undergo a CT scan on Monday to determine if his broken right hand has healed fully and if he can remove his cast. Riley broke the hamate bone in his right hand and has been out since the middle of August. Even if Riley is able to remove his cast next week, it isn't guaranteed that he'd be able to return for Atlanta if they are able to secure the final wild-card spot in the National League for the postseason in October. The 27-year-old right-handed slugger should have already been dropped in season-long leagues since he won't return in the final month of the regular season. Atlanta's offense has been limping to the finish line with outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) and Riley missing extended time in 2024 due to injuries. In 110 games before breaking his hand, Riley hit 19 homers and drove in 56. It's been a disappointing year after three straight 30-homer campaigns.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (hand) had an MRI exam on Monday that showed a right-hand fracture. Riley is expected to miss roughly six to eight weeks with the injury, meaning fantasy managers will lose him for the rest of the regular season. There's a chance the 27-year-old right-handed slugger could return to the Braves if they get into the playoffs, but that won't be guaranteed. It's a serious blow for fantasy managers and the Braves with the season winding down. He suffered the injury on a hit-by-pitch on Sunday. The former first-rounder will end his 2024 campaign with a .256/.322/.461 slash line, a .783 OPS, 19 home runs, 56 RBI and 63 runs scored in 110 games after three straight 30-homer seasons. Luke Williams is expected to see the majority of the starts moving forward for a Braves team clinging to the third and final wild-card spot in the National League.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (hand) was forced to exit early during Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. The young slugger was removed from the contest after getting hit by a pitch in the hand during the first inning. Braves' manager Brian Snitker told reporters that Riley will undergo further evaluation after X-rays were inconclusive. For now, fantasy managers should consider Riley as day-to-day. There should be more information on his timetable to return once the testing is done. Luke Williams took over at third base during Sunday's game. He'll likely see increased playing time until Riley is back in the mix. Williams doesn't offer much upside with the bat to warrant rostering in most fantasy formats. Whit Merrifield could also be an option at third base, but he hasn't been much better than Williams with the bat. Fantasy managers will need to check back for another update on Riley's status.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley continued to pick things up at the plate in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Brewers. Riley went 4-for-5 with four singles and an RBI. The 27-year-old's .259/.326/.452 slash line for the season is not what fantasy managers were hoping for. However, like the entire Braves' offense, Riley has stepped things up since June, batting .285 with 11 home runs, 14 doubles, and 24 RBI in 202 plate appearances. Riley has been a high-end third-base fantasy option over the past few seasons, and it looks like he is trending in that direction now after a slow start.
The Atlanta Braves reinstated infielder Austin Riley from the paternity list on Thursday and designated infielder Zack Short for assignment in a corresponding move. In addition, the Braves recalled right-hander Daysbel Hernandez from the minors. Two of the Braves' games this week were postponed due to inclement weather in Atlanta, so Riley ended up missing just one contest after being put on the paternity list earlier this week. While Atlanta's starting lineup for Thursday's series opener against the hosting division-rival New York Mets hasn't been posted yet, Riley should be back in it while starting at third base. The 27-year-old right-handed slugger is having a down year in 2024 after making the All-Star squad each of the last two years and hitting a combined 55 home runs. This year, he's slashing .255/.325/.451 with 13 homers and 40 RBI in 86 games played.
The Atlanta Braves placed infielder Austin Riley on the paternity list on Tuesday and recalled infielder Luke Williams from the minors in a corresponding move. Riley left Monday's 4-1 loss against the Cincinnati Reds late in the game and will now be away from the team for most likely the next three days, so fantasy managers need to act accordingly. It could be a nice little break for Riley, who has gone 3-for-15 (.200) with a homer, double, RBI and six strikeouts in four games in the second half of the season. After hitting 30 homers in each of the last three seasons, the 27-year-old's power has been down in 2024, with only 13 long balls and 40 RBI in 86 games this year. With Riley away from the team for the next few games, the Braves will likely go with some combination of Williams, Whit Merrifield (finger) and Zack Short at third base.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley went 2-for-4 in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday evening with a double and a long ball. Riley struck out in his first two plate appearances but broke out of his slide with a solo shot in the sixth and with his 21st double of the campaign in the eighth inning. Since getting off to a slow start across the first two months of the season, the 27-year-old has posted an excellent .292/.366/.563 line with nine home runs and 21 RBI since June 1. In addition, he holds a stellar 15.0% barrel rate and 51.8% hard-hit rate, which are some of the top marks in baseball. Riley is one of the best third basemen in all fantasy formats and is always worth a look in DFS.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley hit his 12th homer during Monday's 5-4 win at the Arizona Diamondbacks. Riley hit a 430-foot blast in the top of the first inning off starter Yilber Diaz, marking his ninth homer since June 1. Riley also scored the game-winning run in the top of the 10th on a sacrifice fly from Marcell Ozuna while drawing a walk in four at-bats. He is hitting .253/.326/.450 with 47 runs scored and 38 RBI. Riley is now rewarding the fantasy managers who endured his slow start and is now swinging the bat again at an elite level.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley smacked a solo home run Tuesday night as the San Francisco Giants defeated Atlanta 5-4. The home run was his 10th on the season and his third in the last 10 games. Riley's power has been sapped this season with him only being on pace for about 20 home runs after averaging over 30 dingers each of the last three seasons. He's been demoted to the number five spot in the order with the resurgence of Marcel Ozuna's bat this season and also spent a couple of weeks on the injured list. Despite being nine games over .500, it's been a brutal season for the Braves with the many injuries and underperforming players on their roster. Riley has too much power potential and can bounce back at any minute so fantasy managers everywhere should hold strong and hope he can find that consistent power stroke again that has made him one of, if not the best, third basemen in baseball over the past few seasons.
Austin Riley
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Braves
