Atlanta Braves fans remember full well how rotten the team's luck with injuries was in 2024. In fact, the 2025 Braves are still dealing with the effects of it now as both Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuna Jr. have yet to make it all the way back from their ailments. One player that is/was expected to be full-go that missed a ton of time last season is Austin Riley.
After breaking his hand and missing the end of the 2024 regular season as well as the postseason, Riley appeared to be in good form heading into this season. He spoke openly and earnestly about getting back on the field and helping this team win games again while saying that he had put his injury in the rearview mirror.
Baseball is a funny game, though, and history has a way of repeating itself. On Friday, Riley took a pitch off his hand and was pulled early from the spring training game as a "precaution" according to the Braves. Yes, seriously.
"Go back to Double A!" one fan yelled to Jackson Rutledge after he hit Austin Riley in the hand. Scary situation for Riley that looked somewhat similar to the one at Angel Stadium last year.https://t.co/V4eupQ06f6
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) March 14, 2025
Austin Riley leaves spring training game early after getting hit in hand by pitch
This isn't a situation where there was any intent as pitcher Jackson Rutledge just lost the handle on a pitch inside. However, it sure looked like Riley was in some pain after the fact. The good news here is that Riley did start going down the line towards first which could be a good sign. It has since been revealed that x-rays were negative and follow-up scans revealed no long-term issues thankfully.
Austin Riley didn’t suffer a fracture. Day to day. He doesn’t even have to go back to Atlanta for further testing.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) March 14, 2025
While needing to get follow-up scans may initially seem to be a scary prognosis, the most logical explanation is that Atlanta is using an abundance of caution here. Riley did break his hand on a similar play last year and making extra sure that there isn't a problem is the right decision for both Riley and the team. Everything seems to be in good shape and now it is just a matter of how much swelling he deals with in the coming days.
It is nice to see the Braves getting lucky with injuries for a change this year. Had this been 2024, Profar would have a hook for a hand by now and Riley would be in an iron lung. Thankfully, the worst case scenario seems to have been avoided here and Riley should be back in no time.
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