Here we go again. Just when you thought 2025 might bring a little better luck on the injury front for the Atlanta Braves, the baseball gods have other plans.
The latest victim? All-Star third baseman Austin Riley had Atlanta holding its collective breath on Friday after taking a pitch to the right hand during a Spring Training matchup against the Washington Nationals.
A Painfully Familiar Scene
If this moment felt like déjà vu, that’s because it was. Flashback to August 18, 2024—Riley took a hit-by-pitch on the right hand against the Angels. He stayed in the game just long enough to run the bases, and then? That was it.
The Braves slugging third baseman didn’t play again that season, missing the final seven weeks and the entire postseason with a fractured right wrist.
So, when he got plunked again on Friday, the entire fanbase had the same reaction: Not this again.
For now, the Braves are calling Riley’s exit “precautionary” (which is team-speak for “we have no idea yet, but we don’t want to panic everyone”). Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Justin Toscano noted that Riley was clearly in pain. That isn’t exactly what you want to hear two weeks before Opening Day.
The Braves quickly subbed in Nick Allen at third base. Obviously, that’s not a swap they want to be making once the regular season starts.
Braves’ Injury Woes Continue
And Riley isn’t the only key player to take a hit—literally—this spring. Atlanta has already lost one starter to a hit-by-pitch, with catcher Sean Murphy fracturing a rib during an at-bat on February 28.
Murphy is already expected to miss Opening Day. The Braves aren’t going to take any risks with Riley if there’s even a slight chance of a lingering injury.
Atlanta can’t afford to lose another middle-of-the-lineup bat with regular season coming soon. The team is built around its offense, and Riley’s presence at third base and in the heart of the order is a crucial part of that.
Hoping for a Healthy 2025
Riley has been preparing for a bounce-back year. His 2024 numbers—.256/.322/.461 with 19 home runs and 56 RBI in 110 games—were solid but not quite up to his usual standards.
Over the past four seasons, he’s averaged 32 homers, 33 doubles, 88 RBI, and 90 runs per year, showing exactly how vital he is to Atlanta’s success.
Now, it’s a waiting game. Braves Country will be holding its breath until there’s an official update, hoping this isn’t a repeat of last year’s nightmare.
