Braves' Riley expected to miss 6-8 weeks with fractured hand
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley is expected to miss approximately six-to-eight weeks with a right hand fracture, the team announced Monday.
The two-time All-Star was hit on the hand by a 97-mph fastball during the first inning of Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. An MRI revealed the fracture after the infielder left the contest.
Austin Riley has been removed from today's game after getting hit by this pitch. pic.twitter.com/uRoiOKSjuw
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) August 18, 2024
Riley is the latest Braves player to go down with an injury, joining Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, Spencer Strider, and A.J. Minter. Michael Harris II also missed two months of the season.
The 27-year-old Riley is slashing .256/.322/.461 with 19 home runs, 26 doubles, and 56 RBIs in 110 games. He's been one of the Braves best hitters after a slow start to the campaign, posting an .827 OPS with 17 homers and 47 RBIs since May 1.
Atlanta also announced that right-hander Reynaldo López was reinstated from the injured list after completing a rehab assignment and pitcher Jimmy Hergert was optioned to Triple-A.