Austin Riley and Darren O'Day to Start Minor League Rehab Assignments Ahead of Return to Braves

The Atlanta Braves are due to receive some roster reinforcements in the near future.

Injured outfielder Austin Riley and reliever Darren O'Day are both set to begin minor league rehab assignments on Friday as they prepare to return to the majors.

OF Austin Riley and RHP Darren O’Day each start their major league rehabilitation assignment today. Riley will play for Single-A Rome, while O’Day will pitch for the rookie-level Gulf Coast Braves.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 23, 2019

Riley will get his rehab stint underway at Single-A Rome, whilst O'Day will take his talents to the rookie-level Gulf Coast Braves.

The Braves' third baseman-turned-left fielder suffered an LCL injury in early August. There was concern that he'd be forced to miss the rest of the year, but surgery wasn't required for the 22-year-old, so he'll be back in the mix before long.

Brian Snitker says Dansby Swanson Will begin a rehab assignment tomorrow with @TheRomeBraves. Austin Riley will join him with Rome on Friday. #Braves
— Kelsey Wingert (@KelsWingert) August 21, 2019

Riley will join fellow Braves big-leaguer Dansby Swanson at Single-A Rome, where the pair will rehab together.

As for O'Day, the 36-year-old has yet to pitch in 2019, as he suffered a setback in his recovery from a forearm injury. Last season, O'Day had a 3.60 ERA across 20.0 innings of work, striking out 27 batters. That campaign came to an early end in June after he suffered a hamstring injury.

When he completes his rehab assignment, it will have been almost 15 months since he last pitched in the majors.