Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (hand) had an MRI exam on Monday that showed a right-hand fracture. Riley is expected to miss roughly six to eight weeks with the injury, meaning fantasy managers will lose him for the rest of the regular season. There's a chance the 27-year-old right-handed slugger could return to the Braves if they get into the playoffs, but that won't be guaranteed. It's a serious blow for fantasy managers and the Braves with the season winding down. He suffered the injury on a hit-by-pitch on Sunday. The former first-rounder will end his 2024 campaign with a .256/.322/.461 slash line, a .783 OPS, 19 home runs, 56 RBI and 63 runs scored in 110 games after three straight 30-homer seasons. Luke Williams is expected to see the majority of the starts moving forward for a Braves team clinging to the third and final wild-card spot in the National League.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (hand) was forced to exit early during Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. The young slugger was removed from the contest after getting hit by a pitch in the hand during the first inning. Braves' manager Brian Snitker told reporters that Riley will undergo further evaluation after X-rays were inconclusive. For now, fantasy managers should consider Riley as day-to-day. There should be more information on his timetable to return once the testing is done. Luke Williams took over at third base during Sunday's game. He'll likely see increased playing time until Riley is back in the mix. Williams doesn't offer much upside with the bat to warrant rostering in most fantasy formats. Whit Merrifield could also be an option at third base, but he hasn't been much better than Williams with the bat. Fantasy managers will need to check back for another update on Riley's status.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley continued to pick things up at the plate in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Brewers. Riley went 4-for-5 with four singles and an RBI. The 27-year-old's .259/.326/.452 slash line for the season is not what fantasy managers were hoping for. However, like the entire Braves' offense, Riley has stepped things up since June, batting .285 with 11 home runs, 14 doubles, and 24 RBI in 202 plate appearances. Riley has been a high-end third-base fantasy option over the past few seasons, and it looks like he is trending in that direction now after a slow start.

The Atlanta Braves reinstated infielder Austin Riley from the paternity list on Thursday and designated infielder Zack Short for assignment in a corresponding move. In addition, the Braves recalled right-hander Daysbel Hernandez from the minors. Two of the Braves' games this week were postponed due to inclement weather in Atlanta, so Riley ended up missing just one contest after being put on the paternity list earlier this week. While Atlanta's starting lineup for Thursday's series opener against the hosting division-rival New York Mets hasn't been posted yet, Riley should be back in it while starting at third base. The 27-year-old right-handed slugger is having a down year in 2024 after making the All-Star squad each of the last two years and hitting a combined 55 home runs. This year, he's slashing .255/.325/.451 with 13 homers and 40 RBI in 86 games played.

The Atlanta Braves placed infielder Austin Riley on the paternity list on Tuesday and recalled infielder Luke Williams from the minors in a corresponding move. Riley left Monday's 4-1 loss against the Cincinnati Reds late in the game and will now be away from the team for most likely the next three days, so fantasy managers need to act accordingly. It could be a nice little break for Riley, who has gone 3-for-15 (.200) with a homer, double, RBI and six strikeouts in four games in the second half of the season. After hitting 30 homers in each of the last three seasons, the 27-year-old's power has been down in 2024, with only 13 long balls and 40 RBI in 86 games this year. With Riley away from the team for the next few games, the Braves will likely go with some combination of Williams, Whit Merrifield (finger) and Zack Short at third base.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley went 2-for-4 in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday evening with a double and a long ball. Riley struck out in his first two plate appearances but broke out of his slide with a solo shot in the sixth and with his 21st double of the campaign in the eighth inning. Since getting off to a slow start across the first two months of the season, the 27-year-old has posted an excellent .292/.366/.563 line with nine home runs and 21 RBI since June 1. In addition, he holds a stellar 15.0% barrel rate and 51.8% hard-hit rate, which are some of the top marks in baseball. Riley is one of the best third basemen in all fantasy formats and is always worth a look in DFS.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley smacked a solo home run Tuesday night as the San Francisco Giants defeated Atlanta 5-4. The home run was his 10th on the season and his third in the last 10 games. Riley's power has been sapped this season with him only being on pace for about 20 home runs after averaging over 30 dingers each of the last three seasons. He's been demoted to the number five spot in the order with the resurgence of Marcel Ozuna's bat this season and also spent a couple of weeks on the injured list. Despite being nine games over .500, it's been a brutal season for the Braves with the many injuries and underperforming players on their roster. Riley has too much power potential and can bounce back at any minute so fantasy managers everywhere should hold strong and hope he can find that consistent power stroke again that has made him one of, if not the best, third basemen in baseball over the past few seasons.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley went deep in an 8-1 win over the New York Yankees on Friday. Riley wound up going 2-for-3 with a homer, two walks, two runs, and one RBI in a victory over New York. The veteran is now batting .251 with seven homers, 37 runs, and 29 RBI over 231 at-bats in 2024. While the power numbers weren't quite what fantasy gamers were expecting when drafting Riley this spring, patience is advised as the 27-year-old posted three straight 30-homer seasons coming into 2024.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run and two walks in Saturday's 9-2 win over the Rays. It was the second consecutive game with a home run and with three RBI. Many of Riley's peripheral stats remain nearly unchanged year-over-year, such as K%, BB%, Contact%, and chase rate, so it is a bit surprising to see such a low .233/.304/.372 slashline. His bat typically heats up with the weather though, with July and August being his two best months for batting average (career .295 in those months) so perhaps this is the beginning of one of his hot streaks.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley revived in Friday night's win over the visiting Tampa Bay Rays, tallying three hits with a home run and three RBI in the victory. After lining an RBI double to left field to push the Braves' lead to 4-1 in the first inning, Riley crushed a two-run homer to left field to extend Atlanta's lead to 7-1 in the second inning. The 27-year-old star slugger has been one of fantasy's biggest busts this year, so hopefully Friday's performance gets him back on track. Riley hadn't gone deep since May 3 before this one, now slashing .230/.296/.357 with four long balls, 11 doubles, and 23 RBI over 213 at-bats. He's a .271 hitter with a .496 slugging percentage for his major-league career, so there's plenty of reason to buy low on Riley before it's too late.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (intercostal) is finally back in the starting lineup on Monday against the visiting Washington Nationals, playing third base and batting in the two-hole against rookie left-hander Mitchell Parker. Riley will make his return after missing the last two weeks with a left-intercostal strain. It's good timing, too, after the Braves just lost reigning National League MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) to a season-ending torn ACL. Riley could be a little rusty at the plate after missing 13 games, but the 27-year-old right-handed slugger should be returned to starting lineups in most fantasy leagues. He's never faced Parker in his career and will return to a .245/.319/.388 slash line with only three home runs, 18 RBI and 22 runs scored in 147 at-bats this year.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (intercostal) once again is out of the team's starting lineup for Sunday's series finale in Pittsburgh against the Pirates. Fantasy managers should not be surprised, as manager Brian Snitker said before the series opener on Friday that Riley was more likely to make his return to action on Memorial Day on Monday for the series opener against the visiting Washington Nationals. The 27-year-old right-handed slugger is missing his 13th straight game but has surprisingly avoided landing on the injured list due to an intercostal strain. Riley swung a bat earlier in the week and will hopefully be back for fantasy managers to start next week. Zack Short remains at third base and will hit ninth against Pirates veteran left-hander Martin Perez on Sunday. Avoid Short in DFS contests.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (intercostal) is unlikely to play until Monday's series opener against the Washington Nationals. Riley is taking batting practice on Friday, and the Braves are just being extra cautious in keeping the right-handed-hitting slugger out for his 11th straight game. Manager Brian Snitker said he isn't surprised if Riley ends up missing two weeks, and if the team needed somebody to ride the bench, they would have already put him on the injured list. The 27-year-old suffered a left-intercostal strain on May 12 against the New York Mets and hasn't played since, although it still sounds like he won't go on the IL. Until Riley returns, Zack Short should continue to play the hot corner in Atlanta, although new signee Joey Wendle could also be an option there. Riley was hitting .245/.319/.388 with three homers, eight doubles and 18 RBI in 163 plate appearances before his injury.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (intercostal) remains out of the starting lineup for Friday's series opener in Pittsburgh against the Pirates. Riley will be missing his 11th straight start and will probably land on the injured list this weekend if he's unable to return by Sunday due to a left-intercostal strain. However, the 27-year-old was able to swing a bat earlier this week. Even if Riley goes on the IL, he deserves to be stashed in all fantasy formats for his power upside in one of the best lineups in baseball. Zack Short will make another start at the hot corner for Atlanta on Friday and will hit ninth against Pirates left-hander Bailey Falter, but Joey Wendle could also become an option for the Braves there if Riley misses more time after the team signed Wendle on Friday. Short has only seven hits in 45 at-bats with three different teams already in 2024.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (intercostal) remains sidelined for the series finale at Wrigley Field on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs. It's a mild surprise that Atlanta hasn't put Riley on the injured list yet, as this will be his 10th straight missed game due to a left-intercostal strain. The good news is that the 27-year-old right-handed slugger was able to take some swings on the field earlier this week. However, if he's not able to return this weekend for a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, it would be even more of a surprise if he's not put on the IL. The former 41st overall pick in 2015 is currently slashing .245/.319/.388 with only three home runs and 18 RBI, but he remains a must-start when he's healthy. Luke Williams will get the start at third on Thursday instead of Zack Short and will hit ninth against Cubs right-hander Ben Brown.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (intercostal) is sitting yet again on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The longer Riley sits out, the more likely him landing on the injured list is. The 27-year-old power-hitting right-hander has been sidelined since May 12 with left-intercostal inflammation, but the good news is that he was cleared to take soft swings in the batting cage on Tuesday. Fantasy managers must keep him on their bench and check back on Wednesday to see if he's cleared to rejoin the starting lineup. Zack Short is getting another start at third base on Tuesday and will hit eighth against Cubs right-hander Javier Assad. Short has only six hits in 38 at-bats so far in 2024 with three different teams and should be avoided in DFS.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (side) is sitting out the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the visiting San Diego Padres. Riley also missed the Game 1 loss and now has not played in over a week due to intercostal inflammation on his left side. If the 27-year-old is forced to miss anymore time, it's likely he'll eventually land on the injured list. Riley is hoping to swing a bat soon, so he's technically still considered day-to-day. When healthy, he's the Braves' starting third baseman and is a must-start in all fantasy lineups when he's in the lineup. The former 41st overall pick in 2015 is currently hitting .245/.319/.388 on the year with three home runs, 18 RBI and 22 runs scored in 147 at-bats. Zack Short is making another start at third in Game 2 on Monday and is hitting in the nine-hole after going 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Game 1 to drop his average to .143.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (side) remains out of the lineup for Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader versus the visiting San Diego Padres. Riley fielded grounders ahead of Sunday's matchup against San Diego, which is positive step forward in his recovery from intercostal discomfort in his left side, but it's unclear if he's been cleared to resume swinging. If he's not still experiencing the discomfort, however, the 27-year-old All-Star slugger seems to have a decent chance of rejoining Atlanta's lineup for Tuesday's series opener against the Chicago Cubs. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect to see Riley in Monday's nightcap, though. Zack Short is at third base and batting seventh against Padres right-hander Dylan Cease in the matinee, and he's 1-for-4 with two walks in six plate appearances against Cease in his career.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (side) is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the San Diego Padres. It will be the sixth straight game that Riley has missed due to side inflammation. Riley has managed to avoid the injured list and is still considered day-to-day, but it is slightly concerning that he continues to miss time. In his absence, Zack Short will at third base and bat seventh against Padres starter Yu Darvish. Short is a fantasy afterthought at this point as he is slashing a paltry .172/.333/.241 through 29 at-bats in 2024.