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Braves make flurry of roster moves ahead of series with Brewers

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated Aug 4, 2025 11:26 AM ET

The constant shuffling of the Atlanta Braves roster continues today as the club prepares for a series against the Brewers at Truist Park.

Austin Riley is heading back to the IL with an abdominal strain, the same injury that kept him out a couple of weeks not long ago. Just like last time, Nacho Alvarez is coming back up from Gwinnett to take his place. Additionally, the Braves added even more infield depth by calling up Jonathan Ornelas and optioning Jarred Kelenic to AAA.

The #Braves today recalled INF Nacho Alvarez Jr. to Atlanta and placed INF Austin Riley on the 10-day injured list with a strained lower abdominal muscle. Additionally, the club recalled INF Jonathan Ornelas to Atlanta after optioning OF Jarred Kelenic to Triple-A Gwinnett…

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 4, 2025

Muscle injuries tend to flare up if not fully healed properly, and that appears to be what happened to Austin Riley when he dove to tag out Elly De La Cruz in Sunday’s Speedway Classic. The Braves probably should be much more careful this time around, given they really have nothing left to play for, and this is the second time in a month Riley’s been forced to the IL with an abdominal strain.

It’s yet another tough break for the Braves who have seemingly experienced everything this season, but it does allow the club to get an even longer look at Nacho Alvarez. A top five prospect in the organization, he more than held his own defensively at the hot corner, but we’re still waiting for him to experience some success against major-league pitching.

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

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