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.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley went deep in an 8-1 win over the New York Yankees on Friday. Riley wound up going 2-for-3 with a homer, two walks, two runs, and one RBI in a victory over New York. The veteran is now batting .251 with seven homers, 37 runs, and 29 RBI over 231 at-bats in 2024. While the power numbers weren't quite what fantasy gamers were expecting when drafting Riley this spring, patience is advised as the 27-year-old posted three straight 30-homer seasons coming into 2024.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run and two walks in Saturday's 9-2 win over the Rays. It was the second consecutive game with a home run and with three RBI. Many of Riley's peripheral stats remain nearly unchanged year-over-year, such as K%, BB%, Contact%, and chase rate, so it is a bit surprising to see such a low .233/.304/.372 slashline. His bat typically heats up with the weather though, with July and August being his two best months for batting average (career .295 in those months) so perhaps this is the beginning of one of his hot streaks.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley revived in Friday night's win over the visiting Tampa Bay Rays, tallying three hits with a home run and three RBI in the victory. After lining an RBI double to left field to push the Braves' lead to 4-1 in the first inning, Riley crushed a two-run homer to left field to extend Atlanta's lead to 7-1 in the second inning. The 27-year-old star slugger has been one of fantasy's biggest busts this year, so hopefully Friday's performance gets him back on track. Riley hadn't gone deep since May 3 before this one, now slashing .230/.296/.357 with four long balls, 11 doubles, and 23 RBI over 213 at-bats. He's a .271 hitter with a .496 slugging percentage for his major-league career, so there's plenty of reason to buy low on Riley before it's too late.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (intercostal) is finally back in the starting lineup on Monday against the visiting Washington Nationals, playing third base and batting in the two-hole against rookie left-hander Mitchell Parker. Riley will make his return after missing the last two weeks with a left-intercostal strain. It's good timing, too, after the Braves just lost reigning National League MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) to a season-ending torn ACL. Riley could be a little rusty at the plate after missing 13 games, but the 27-year-old right-handed slugger should be returned to starting lineups in most fantasy leagues. He's never faced Parker in his career and will return to a .245/.319/.388 slash line with only three home runs, 18 RBI and 22 runs scored in 147 at-bats this year.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (intercostal) once again is out of the team's starting lineup for Sunday's series finale in Pittsburgh against the Pirates. Fantasy managers should not be surprised, as manager Brian Snitker said before the series opener on Friday that Riley was more likely to make his return to action on Memorial Day on Monday for the series opener against the visiting Washington Nationals. The 27-year-old right-handed slugger is missing his 13th straight game but has surprisingly avoided landing on the injured list due to an intercostal strain. Riley swung a bat earlier in the week and will hopefully be back for fantasy managers to start next week. Zack Short remains at third base and will hit ninth against Pirates veteran left-hander Martin Perez on Sunday. Avoid Short in DFS contests.
