Braves Make Austin Riley Decision Before Diamondbacks Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Hudson | Last updated Apr 5, 2026 3:08 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves benched one of their most reliable performers over the past decade on Sunday. That player is the third baseman, Austin Riley. After generating significant hype during spring training this year with hopes of bouncing back to his elite form, Riley has struggled to carry that success into the regular season. During Saturday’s loss against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, continuing a slow start at the plate.

The lack of production thus far is a big difference in comparison to his strong spring training numbers. Over 17 games, Riley posted a .357 batting average, .451 on-base percentage, and 1.237 OPS, along with five home runs and 13 RBIs. Despite those impressive results, his performance has yet to translate when it matters most.

As the Braves look to find success early in the season, Riley’s struggles are becoming a growing concern for both the team and its fans.

According to the Braves’ X account, the team plans to replace Riley at third base with Mauricio Dubon, a reliable utility player known for his defensive versatility.

Ready to go!

: @680TheFan
: @BravesVisionTV #BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/JlwSttfbdd
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 5, 2026

Dubon, who spent last season with the Houston Astros, posted a .241 batting average, .289 on-base percentage, and .644 OPS, along with seven home runs and 33 RBIs.

Riley’s struggles reflect a broader regression over the past two seasons, as his production has not matched his peak performance. In 2022, he hit .273 with a .349 on-base percentage and an .878 OPS, adding 38 home runs and 93 RBIs across 159 games.

At his best, Riley combines elite power and contact quality, consistently ranking among league leaders in hard-hit rate and exit velocity.

Atlanta Braves third base Austin Riley (27)© Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Riley has developed into one of the best third basemen in the league. He was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of high school.

Since reaching the majors, Riley has become a foundational player for Atlanta. He is a two-time All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and played a key role in the Braves’ 2021 World Series championship.

He signed a 10-year, $212 million contract extension in August 2022, which runs through the 2032 season and includes a $20 million club option for 2033. The deal carries a $21.2 million average annual value and secures his role as a long-term piece of the franchise.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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