Atlanta Braves Get Crucial News on Austin Riley Injury

It was 'deja vu all over again' when Austin Riley was beaned on the right hand in a Grapefruit League game on Friday, leaving the Atlanta Braves fearing the worst after watching a beanball fracture his right hand last August, ending his season.

#Braves Austin Riley left today's game after a HBP. For what it is worth he did initially stay in. pic.twitter.com/dg12fzaqnt
— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) March 14, 2025

Riley immediately went for X-rays and a CT scan on Friday, and almost just as quickly, the Braves were able to breathe a huge sigh of relief, as not only did he not break any bones this time, he won't even have to have any further testing, and should be back in the Grapefruit League lineup in a few days.

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

“You get scared anytime somebody's hit in a hand or anything like that,” manager Brian Snitker said. “There’s so many small bones in there. We saw last year what can happen. I’m glad it turned out well.”

The Braves certainly dodged a bullet, as the team has had more than its fair share of major injury blows the last few years. Ronald Acuna Jr. is scheduled to come back in May sometime after suffering his second torn ACL in the last four years, while pitching phenom Spencer Strider will come back sometime hopefully in late April after undergoing Tommy John surgery after just two starts last year.

The fact that Riley avoided serious injury this time perhaps means the injury bug tide is turning for the Braves going forward.

In three straight seasons from 2021 through 2023, Riley averaged 36 home runs a year and nearly 100 RBIs. But he was only able to play 110 games last year and was limited to 19 HR and 56 RBIs with his lowest OPS in four years.