Austin Riley, third baseman for the Atlanta Braves, left Friday’s Grapefruit League game after being struck on the hand by a pitch from Washington Nationals pitcher Jackson Rutledge. The incident occurred in the first inning, and Riley showed visible discomfort, holding out his right hand before making his way toward first base. Although he initially remained in the game, he did not return when the Braves took the field in the top of the second inning.
The Braves later announced that Riley was removed from the game as a precautionary measure. Reports from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and MLB.com confirmed that X-rays on his hand came back negative, alleviating fears of a serious injury. Given his injury history, the team is likely exercising caution to prevent any further complications.
Austin Riley (MLB)Riley’s Injury History Raises Concerns Amid His Consistent Power-Hitting Performance for Braves
Riley previously suffered a fractured right hand in 2023 when he was hit by a 97 mph fastball from Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jack Kochanowicz. Last season, he posted a .256 batting average, a .322 on-base percentage, 19 home runs, and 56 RBIs before his injury ended his campaign. His past experience with a similar injury makes this recent incident particularly concerning for the Braves.
Despite his setbacks, Riley has been one of Atlanta’s most consistent performers. He has finished in the top 10 of MVP voting for three straight seasons—seventh in 2021, sixth in 2022, and seventh again in 2023. Known for his power-hitting, he has hit at least 33 home runs in each of those years, reinforcing his importance to the Braves’ offensive lineup.
