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Braves make several roster moves, Austin Riley to IL

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated Jul 12, 2025 12:35 PM ET

No team has ever been snakebitten by injuries more than the Atlanta Braves over the last two seasons. I’m fully convinced of that, and it continued on Friday night.

Austin Riley was removed from the game with abdominal tightness, and today, the Braves placed him on the 10-day IL. In a corresponding move, Nacho Alvarez has been called up to Atlanta.

Additionally, the newly acquired Joey Wentz has been added to the active roster after the Braves claimed him off waivers yesterday. To make room for him, Nathan Wiles has been sent back to Gwinnett.

The #Braves today reported LHP Joey Wentz to Atlanta. The club also recalled INF Nacho Alvarez Jr. to Atlanta, placed INF Austin Riley on the 10-day injured list with a strained right abdomen, and optioned RHP Nathan Wiles to Triple-A Gwinnett following yesterday’s game.

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 12, 2025

If there’s any positive twist on yet another key piece of the Braves hitting the IL, it’s that the All-Star break could result in Riley only missing a few games, assuming it is a minor injury. That could be why the Braves didn’t hesitate putting him on the IL.

It will also allow the Braves to get a closer look at Nacho Alvarez in an everyday role. He’s been injured for most of the season, but in the handful of games he’s played for the Gwinnett Stripers, he’s torn the cover off the ball. Alvarez has a legitimate chance to supplant Ozzie Albies at second base if he can take advantage of this opportunity.

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

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