Riley's season over as broken hand is slow to heal

If the Atlanta Braves manage to make the playoffs, they'll have to try to win the World Series without Austin Riley.

Atlanta's All-Star third baseman won't play again in 2024 due to his slow recovery from a broken right hand, manager Brian Snitker announced Tuesday, according to David O'Brien of The Athletic.

A CT scan taken Monday revealed that the break hasn't healed enough for the cast to be removed, Snitker explained. That means Riley doesn't have enough time to heal and get into game shape ahead of a potential playoff run.

The 27-year-old suffered the injury when he was hit in the hand by a 97-mph fastball Aug. 18. At the time, the Braves estimated that he'd miss around six-to-eight weeks of action.

Riley, a two-time Silver Slugger winner, hit .256/.322/.461 with 19 homers and 56 RBIs over 110 games this season. His .783 OPS is his lowest in a single season since 2020.

Gio Urshela, who joined the team one day after Riley was placed on the IL, has been Atlanta's primary third baseman down the stretch.

The Braves are trying to sneak into the playoffs despite a slew of injuries hitting some of their most important stars all season. Atlanta's been without reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. and ace Spencer Strider for most of the year due to knee and elbow injuries, respectively. Another key starter, Reynaldo López, has been out since early September.

Without their ailing stars, the Braves were unable to win the NL East for a seventh consecutive season. Their playoff lives are also in serious jeopardy: Atlanta enters Tuesday's season-defining series against the rival New York Mets sitting 1.5 games out of the final NL wild-card spot.