The Braves put out tonight’s lineup and roster for the series opener versus San Diego and there were two notable omissions – Austin Riley and Pierce Johnson.
Starting third baseman Riley of Atlanta departed Monday night’s game against the New York Mets due to “left side tightness.” The discomfort initially surfaced during batting practice in New York and intensified following a strikeout in the third inning, which prompted Riley’s exit from the game. Riley had an MRI on Monday morning after waking up sore; the results showed discomfort but no severe oblique injury. Instead of placing him on the disabled list, it was decided to keep him out of the game for a few days. Zack Short, who was just acquired, was assigned to take his position at third base. Riley might be able to return to action as early as today with a few days of recovery and Thursday off.Starting third baseman Riley of Atlanta departed Monday night’s game against the New York Mets due to “left side tightness.” The discomfort initially surfaced during batting practice in New York and intensified
in the third inning, which prompted Riley’s exit from the game. Riley had an MRI on Monday morning after waking up sore; the results showed discomfort but no severe oblique injury. Instead of placing him on the disabled list, it was decided to keep him out of the game for a few days. Zack Short, who was just acquired, was assigned to take his position at third base. Riley might be able to return to action as early as today with a few days of recovery and Thursday off.
It’s feasible that Atlanta uses an extra day to build in some extra rest for a starter before Johnson’s activation given the difficulty of their upcoming schedule—seventeen games in seventeen days—and their habit of giving their starters more rest this season. In order to bring the bullpen back to full strength, Atlanta may decide to call up a prospect the day after #5 starter Bryce Elder starts, then replace that spot starter with Johnson. Elder is scheduled to start on Saturday night
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