Braves 3B Austin Riley’s broken hand hasn’t healed enough for him to return for playoffs

Atlanta Braves injured third baseman Austin Riley, left, and injured starting pitcher Spencer Strider watch from the dugout during a baseball game against the Toronto Blue JaysFriday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Atlanta Braves injured third baseman Austin Riley, left, and injured starting pitcher Spencer Strider watch from the dugout during a baseball game against the Toronto Blue JaysFriday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

By BILL TROCCHI / Associated Press September 24, 2024 2 min read

ATLANTA (AP) — Austin Riley’s broken right hand will keep him sidelined for the playoffs if the Atlanta Braves get there.

A CT scan Monday revealed that the slugging third baseman’s injury had not healed sufficiently.

“It just wasn’t healing enough to think that he could come back this year,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said Tuesday.

Riley was hit by a 97 mph fastball from Jack Kochanowicz of the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 18. He was projected to miss the rest of the regular season, but there was hope if the Braves advanced deep enough into the playoffs, Riley could return.

“He’s still in a cast, so realistically, it was going to be pretty tough for him,” Snitker said. “We’d have to go pretty deep in the playoffs. It is not where the doctors wanted it to be.”