Braves Sending Rookie Slugger Austin Riley to Injured List With Knee Injury
By Scott Rogust
Rookie Austin Riley has been one of the sparks the Atlanta Braves needed to take the NL East division lead and hold onto it. Unfortunately, the 22-year-old standout will be out of action for a while.
The Braves placed the third baseman and left fielder on the injured list on Wednesday due to an injured right knee ligament.
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
Manager Brian Snitker said Riley sustained the injury on Tuesday while warming up in Target Field's visitor's weight room. After missing Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Twins, Riley's right knee stiffened up overnight. Atlanta sent Riley to undergo some testing in order to determine the severity of the injury.
Riley made an instant impact when he was called up by the Braves on May 15, as he hit his first career home run in his second at-bat. He's since fallen back to earth, but the power is undeniable despite his tender age.
Braves To Place Austin Riley On Injured List https://t.co/DP9DEtGvCs pic.twitter.com/VleYgwf59g
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) August 7, 2019
Through 66 games, Riley is slashing .242/.294/.504, with 17 home runs, 45 home runs, and an unsightly 90 strikeouts.
Expect an update on Riley's knee in the coming days, but for now, he joins Nick Markakis and Dansby Swanson among Braves VIPs currently nursing ailments.