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Braves latest injury updates on Austin Riley and Chris Sale

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated Aug 18, 2025 6:03 PM ET

If the Braves can string together a few more wins in a row, they might just make a faction of fans believe the playoffs aren’t completely out of the question, especially as they get healthier. Ronald Acuña Jr. returned over the weekend to help Atlanta to a sweep over Cleveland, and Austin Riley and Chris Sale are both expected to come back in the near future.

According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Riley ran the bases yesterday and will do so again tomorrow. He’s still feeling some discomfort in his abdomen, so there is no clear timetable for a return, but he’s eligible to come back whenever he’s 100%.

Chris Sale made his second rehab start yesterday for the Gwinnett Stripers, tossing 56 pitches and allowing just one run over four innings. He’s scheduled to make one more rehab start, likely ramping up to about 75 pitches. Providing there are no setbacks, he should return to Atlanta during the final week of August.

Austin Riley ran the bases yesterday. He’ll do so again tomorrow. There’s still some abdominal discomfort. So, his return date is TBD. Chris Sale will make one more rehab start before being activated.

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 18, 2025

The Atlanta Braves’ odds of making the playoffs might sit at 1% right now, and even that might be generous. But if they can sweep the White Sox to start the week at Truist Park, all of a sudden, that three game set with the Mets begins to look very interesting, especially with Riley and Sale slated to return for the final month of the season.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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