MLB
A MASSIVE SETBACKA: Playoff Push Complicated by Braves’ Season-Long Loss of Austin Riley owing to Hand Injury.
Playoff Push Complicated by Braves’ Season-Long Loss of Austin Riley owing to Hand Injury.
After fracturing his right hand, third baseman Austin Riley will miss the rest of the regular season, which is another major loss for the Atlanta Braves. In the first inning of Sunday’s game, Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jack Kochanowicz struck Riley with a fastball that clocked in at 97 mph, injuring him. Riley’s fracture was verified by an MRI, and if the Braves make it to the postseason, he might miss another six to eight weeks of recovery time.
The Braves, who are already dealing with a string of injuries to important players, now have an additional set of difficulties with this injury. They led the New York Mets by just two games going into a pivotal three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies, who were leading the NL East.
The Braves have won six straight division titles, but their injury-plagued squad puts their winning streak in risk. Their best chance of making the postseason is via the wild card.
The Braves have already lost NL MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. and star pitcher Spencer Strider to season-ending injuries in addition to Riley. Other key players who have lost a lot of time include Sean Murphy, Michael Harris II, and Ozzie Albies. Riley sustained his second injury of the year in May after missing two weeks because of a strained muscle close to his rib cage. The Braves lineup is severely voiding his absence, and since the trade deadline has passed, they have few choices for a replacement.
The daunting burden of identifying Riley’s replacement now falls to the Braves. After Riley’s injury, Luke Williams filled in at third base, but he hasn’t played well this year and isn’t considered a long-term answer. Whit Merrifield is another possibility; he might be shifted from second base to third so that the team can sign top prospect Nacho Alvarez. Alvarez was sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett due to his struggles in the majors, though.
Notwithstanding these difficulties, the Braves got some good news when right-hander Reynaldo López returned from his rehab assignment to start the first game of the series against the Phillies. This season, López was an All-Star, although he had been sidelined with forearm tendinitis since late July. The Braves optioned reliever Jimmy Herget to Triple-A to create room for López.
-
Red bull3 months agoBREAKING NEWS: Red bull has found the smoking gun for it’s RB20 problem.
-
Red bull3 months agoSAD NEWS: Christian Horner officially announced his resignation as Red Bull Formula One team boss owing to…
-
Red bull3 months agoSAD NEWS: “Christian Horner deceived me,” Max verstappen regrets extending his contract with the Red bull and explains why.
-
Formula 12 months agoBREAKING NEWS: A remarkable Red Bull driver may never participate in Red Bull F1 activities again because Christian Horner does not value him.
-
NFL3 months agoREPORT: Dallas cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott trade to New York Giants is not happening due to…
-
NFL2 months agoA MASSIVE SETBACKA: New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll gives three reasons why he will not play giants quarterback Daniel Jones again.
-
NFL3 months agoSAD NEWS: Russell Wilson, the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, will not play against the Atlanta Falcons on September 8th as a result of…
-
NBA3 months agoDONE DEAL: Few minutes ago, Phoenix Suns formally announced the signing of a seasoned point guard in free agency.