Austin Riley out of Braves lineup, further tests needed

Austin Riley apparently felt some soreness during batting practice and re-aggravated the issue during that at-bat. It was enough for the Braves to remove him from the game, but Brian Snitker felt there was a good chance he could be back in the lineup tonight.

“I’m hoping he plays [Monday], I don’t know if he will,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said, via Mark Bowman of MLB.com. “We’ll know once we get back [to Atlanta] and they see him and test him and all of that. We’ll know [Monday].”

Unfortunately, that’s not the case, as Austin Riley is not in the lineup today as the Braves open up a series with the Cubs at Truist Park.

If that’s not enough to sound the alarms across Braves Country, this report from Mark Bowman will. Austin Riley still felt sore today and is undergoing an MRI. We will know more about the injury later today or tomorrow.

The fact that Austin Riley hasn’t already been placed on the IL is at least a little encouraging. Hopefully, it’s nothing more than irritation, but if we have learned anything from the Sean Murphy injury, this could end up being a lengthy IL stint if it turns out to be an oblique injury. That’s the last thing this struggling Braves offense needs as they attempt to chase down the Phillies in the NL East.