Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley, who was eligible to come off the injured list, may not be activated until Friday due to ongoing discomfort. The Braves are proceeding cautiously as Riley continues to recover from a strained right abdomen that placed him on the 10-day injured list on July 12.
“Snit said Riley was still dealing with a shade of discomfort today. So, they decided to wait a couple days to activate him. He’ll likely play Friday in Texas” —Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman)
Manager Brian Snitker confirmed there has been no setback in Riley’s recovery, but the team prefers to delay his return to avoid risking further injury. In Riley’s absence, Nacho Alvarez Jr. has been filling in at third base.
Braves Face Challenges as Trade Talks and Roster Moves Continue
While Riley’s recovery remains uncertain, trade discussions surrounding outfielder Marcell Ozuna and the San Diego Padres have intensified, stirring speculation among fans and analysts. The Braves are exploring options to reshape their roster amid ongoing performance struggles.
Adding to their recent difficulties, the Braves were shut out 9-0 by the San Francisco Giants in a bullpen game on Tuesday. In roster changes, Atlanta traded outfielder Stuart Fairchild to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations after designating him for assignment earlier in the week.
Meanwhile, the Braves announced the signing of their entire 2025 draft class on Tuesday, signaling a continued investment in the team’s future despite current setbacks. Speculation around other trade candidates, such as catcher Sean Murphy, remains a topic of debate, though some voices caution against moving key players.
Injury Updates Affecting Other MLB Teams
In related MLB injury news, the Los Angeles Dodgers placed reliever Tanner Scott on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation. Fortunately, his MRI showed no ligament damage. The Houston Astros also placed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. on the 15-day injured list due to a blister, with the move retroactive to July 20.
The Tampa Bay Rays added infielder Brandon Lowe to their 10-day injured list because of tendinitis in his left ankle, affecting their infield depth.
Implications for the Braves and MLB Landscape Ahead
The delay in Austin Riley’s return complicates the Braves’ efforts to stabilize their lineup and remain competitive in the season. Meanwhile, developments in the Marcell Ozuna trade talks could significantly impact Atlanta’s roster and strategy moving forward. The combination of injury challenges and roster shuffling across MLB teams signals a tense and uncertain phase leading into the coming weeks.