Atlanta Braves slugger Austin Riley is officially out for the rest of the 2024 season, as his fractured right hand is still not healed. A CT scan has indicated that he won’t have a speedy enough recovery to return for the postseason. The Braves are currently one game out of a Wild Card spot in the NL.
Austin Riley is OUT for the rest of the season, Brian Snitker announced.
A CT scan on his broken hand showed that it wouldn’t heal fast enough to be available during the postseason if needed. pic.twitter.com/a2qb1jVnle
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 24, 2024
Braves Two-Time Silver Slugger Winner Austin Riley Out for Season
Riley was hit on the hand by a pitch on August 18th by Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jack Kochanowicz. His injury will involve a slow healing process and his cast is not ready to come off just yet. His hope to make a return this season has been officially shut down. The fracture occurred at the base of his hamate bone. The 27-year-old has a 2.8 WAR, a .256 batting average, 19 home runs, and 56 RBI this season. Riley was also on the IL back in May with an oblique injury. If the Braves do rally to make the postseason, they will be without Riley’s strong power hitting. He has also made many memorable defensive plays at third base. One such noteworthy play occurred on August 16th, shortly before his injury.
Stellar defense down the line from Austin Riley ? pic.twitter.com/tLmkkP8MX4
— MLB (@MLB) August 17, 2024
Riley is the type of defensive player who has great baseball instincts with a laser arm. He is one of many impact players currently injured for the Braves. The list also includes Spencer Strider, Ronald Acuña Jr., Reynaldo Lopez, and A.J. Minter. Injuries continue to not be kind to teams as the postseason is so close to approaching. Along with the two All-Star appearances and Silver Slugger Awards that Riley has earned in his career, he was also awarded the Heart and Hustle Award back in 2023. This award is given to players who demonstrate a strong passion for the game.
Photo Credit: © Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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