Braves Phenom Austin Riley Won't Need Surgery and Could Return in 2 Weeks
After a not-so-great update earlier Tuesday, the Braves can breathe a sigh of relief as it pertains to their young star Austin Riley.
The rookie injured his knee in the weight room last week and was subsequently placed on the injured list. After a visit with Dr. James Andrews, Riley and the Braves learned that the injury will not require surgery, and that the slugger should be ready to go in about two weeks.
#Braves’ Austin Riley doesn’t need surgery, was told he could expect to play in about 15 days. He’ll wear a brave as precaution but knee was stable when Dr. Andrews examined him, told him surgery wasn’t advised. If he had to play now he could, if it were the playoffs for instance
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) August 13, 2019
Riley met with Andrews to get an opinion on his knee, and the renowned sports medicine expert advised against surgery. He will wear a brace in the meantime, but the injury is not considered as serious as initially feared.
If the Braves needed Riley today for a critical game, it's understood that he would play, but the team will not rush him back. Atlanta needs their left fielder and third baseman healthy for the final month of the season and subsequent run in October.
Austin Riley has an injured knee ligament, severity unknown, will be checked by #Braves doctors back in Atlanta. He’s going on IL. Was injured while warming up in weight room before Tuesday game, but only stiffened overnight, Snitker said.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) August 7, 2019
As it currently stands, The Braves are comfortably in first place in the NL East division. They hold a six game lead over the Washington Nationals, and are playing consistently good baseball even with the litany of injuries.
The Braves just need to keep on this pace until reinforcements arrive for the final stretch of the season.