It seems that we are now at a point where if the Braves play on a Sunday, there is a good chance that there will be some kind of injury scare.
Just a few minutes ago, early in the first inning, Austin Riley was hit in the hand by a 97 mph pitch.
Austin Riley was hit in the right hand by a 97 mph sinker. He stayed in the game to run the bases. For Riley’s standards, he reacted violently and seemed to be in immediate pain.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) 18 August 2024
He stayed in the game to run the bases, as he was thrown out at second base just a few pitches later when Marcell Ozuna turned a ground ball into a double play. After the top half of the first inning ended, Luke Williams came in for Riley and will bat second base and play third base the rest of the afternoon.
Austin Riley, who was hit in the hand by a pitch, is out of the game. He stayed in the game to run the bases.
Luke Williams is in the game.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) 18 August 2024
While it is at least a positive sign that Riley did not leave the game immediately, he was obviously in pain from being hit. It is obviously too early to have any certainty about the extent of Riley’s injury, and it is logical for the Braves to be cautious given that his throwing hand was compromised. We will likely get more information during and after the game, and hope that the news is positive from that point on. The Braves have certainly had some luck with injuries given how the season has gone so far.
