Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley continued to get things going offensively in Monday's 8-4 win over the Blue Jays. Riley went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a three-run HR. The 28-year-old crushed a third-inning Easton Lucas fastball over the center-field wall to score two and obliterated a fifth-inning Lucas slider deep into the center-field seats to score three. After collecting just two hits in March, Riley has looked like his old self and is now slashing .288/.329/.530 with four HR and 11 RBI in 70 plate appearances. Hopefully, he can help drive a turnaround for a Braves' lineup that is still struggling overall.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley has been dropped down to fifth in the batting order for Friday's series opener at Truist Park against the division-rival Miami Marlins and right-hander Max Meyer. Riley has hit either second or third for the first seven games of the season, but the Braves are going to change things up as they search for their first win of 2025. The 28-year-old right-handed slugger isn't the only one slumping to begin the year in Atlanta's lineup, but he has gone 3-for-27 with a home run, one RBI, two runs scored, two walks and 11 strikeouts in 29 plate appearances. Second baseman Ozzie Albies will hit second in the lineup. The drop in the order will make Riley less attractive for DFS purposes, although he has hit .400 with a solo home run in a small sample size of five career at-bats against Meyer.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (hand) returned to the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Saturday against the Minnesota Twins and went 1-for-3 in the contest with a double while playing third base and batting in the two-hole. Riley was hit by a pitch on his right hand on Friday but was able to return to action a day later. The 27-year-old right-handed slugger is now hitting a cool .310 with an .892 OPS, a homer, three doubles and two runs scored in 12 spring training games. Riley actually suffered a season-ending fractured right hand in mid-August of last year and finished with 19 home runs, 56 RBI and 63 runs scored in just 110 games in 2024 as a result. The two-time All-Star is completely healthy now, though, and should be considered a top-five fantasy third baseman on a strong team after hitting 30-plus home runs in each season from 2021-23.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (forearm, wrist) left Friday's Grapefruit League game against the division-rival Washington Nationals after he was hit by a pitch in the right forearm/wrist area. Riley passed initial strength tests, and X-rays came back negative for any broken bones, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano. The 27-year-old will now go for a CT scan, with the Braves not saying anything until they have the full update. While it appears Riley avoided a significant injury, he's not out of the woods just yet. We will continue to monitor the situation, but expect him to miss at least a few days in camp. If the CT scan doesn't show anything serious, Riley should be ready for Opening Day in late March. There is more concern here since Riley dealt with a fractured hand in 2024, which wasn't discovered until he had a CT scan. Stay tuned.UPDATE: Riley is considered day-to-day and will not have to return to Atlanta for further testing.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (hand) was seen taking batting practice at Braves camp on Wednesday. It's a nice sight for the Braves after Riley's 2024 season was cut short last year due to a fractured hand that he suffered on Aug. 18. The 27-year-old avoided surgery, though, and appears to be full go for spring training this year. If he avoids injuries in 2025, fantasy managers should be getting an elite power hitter that is a good bet to return to the 30-homer mark. The former first-rounder and two-time All-Star hit a combined 75 long balls in 2022 and 2023 but fell to 19 home runs and 56 RBI in just 110 games played last season because of his hand injury. Fantasy managers shouldn't hold his 2024 injury against him in drafts this spring. RotoBaller currently has Riley ranked as the No. 4 fantasy third baseman.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (hand) will not return this season, according to manager Brian Snitker. Riley's hand simply was not healing fast enough after he had a CT scan on Monday. Even if the Braves sneak into the postseason in a wild-card spot, Riley will not be able to help them out in October. It's a big blow to a team that basically needs to win each game this week to have a shot at getting into the playoffs. The 27-year-old right-handed slugger is out with a fractured hand and will finish a disappointing year after making the All-Star squad in both 2022 and 2023. In 110 games played in 2024, he slashed .256/.322/.461 with a .783 OPS, 19 home run, 56 RBI and 63 runs scored. Riley had clubbed 30-plus homers in each of the previous three seasons. The slick-fielding Gio Urshela should be Atlanta's primary third baseman the rest of the way.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (hand) will undergo a CT scan on Monday to determine if his broken right hand has healed fully and if he can remove his cast. Riley broke the hamate bone in his right hand and has been out since the middle of August. Even if Riley is able to remove his cast next week, it isn't guaranteed that he'd be able to return for Atlanta if they are able to secure the final wild-card spot in the National League for the postseason in October. The 27-year-old right-handed slugger should have already been dropped in season-long leagues since he won't return in the final month of the regular season. Atlanta's offense has been limping to the finish line with outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) and Riley missing extended time in 2024 due to injuries. In 110 games before breaking his hand, Riley hit 19 homers and drove in 56. It's been a disappointing year after three straight 30-homer campaigns.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (hand) had an MRI exam on Monday that showed a right-hand fracture. Riley is expected to miss roughly six to eight weeks with the injury, meaning fantasy managers will lose him for the rest of the regular season. There's a chance the 27-year-old right-handed slugger could return to the Braves if they get into the playoffs, but that won't be guaranteed. It's a serious blow for fantasy managers and the Braves with the season winding down. He suffered the injury on a hit-by-pitch on Sunday. The former first-rounder will end his 2024 campaign with a .256/.322/.461 slash line, a .783 OPS, 19 home runs, 56 RBI and 63 runs scored in 110 games after three straight 30-homer seasons. Luke Williams is expected to see the majority of the starts moving forward for a Braves team clinging to the third and final wild-card spot in the National League.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (hand) was forced to exit early during Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. The young slugger was removed from the contest after getting hit by a pitch in the hand during the first inning. Braves' manager Brian Snitker told reporters that Riley will undergo further evaluation after X-rays were inconclusive. For now, fantasy managers should consider Riley as day-to-day. There should be more information on his timetable to return once the testing is done. Luke Williams took over at third base during Sunday's game. He'll likely see increased playing time until Riley is back in the mix. Williams doesn't offer much upside with the bat to warrant rostering in most fantasy formats. Whit Merrifield could also be an option at third base, but he hasn't been much better than Williams with the bat. Fantasy managers will need to check back for another update on Riley's status.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley continued to pick things up at the plate in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Brewers. Riley went 4-for-5 with four singles and an RBI. The 27-year-old's .259/.326/.452 slash line for the season is not what fantasy managers were hoping for. However, like the entire Braves' offense, Riley has stepped things up since June, batting .285 with 11 home runs, 14 doubles, and 24 RBI in 202 plate appearances. Riley has been a high-end third-base fantasy option over the past few seasons, and it looks like he is trending in that direction now after a slow start.

The Atlanta Braves reinstated infielder Austin Riley from the paternity list on Thursday and designated infielder Zack Short for assignment in a corresponding move. In addition, the Braves recalled right-hander Daysbel Hernandez from the minors. Two of the Braves' games this week were postponed due to inclement weather in Atlanta, so Riley ended up missing just one contest after being put on the paternity list earlier this week. While Atlanta's starting lineup for Thursday's series opener against the hosting division-rival New York Mets hasn't been posted yet, Riley should be back in it while starting at third base. The 27-year-old right-handed slugger is having a down year in 2024 after making the All-Star squad each of the last two years and hitting a combined 55 home runs. This year, he's slashing .255/.325/.451 with 13 homers and 40 RBI in 86 games played.

The Atlanta Braves placed infielder Austin Riley on the paternity list on Tuesday and recalled infielder Luke Williams from the minors in a corresponding move. Riley left Monday's 4-1 loss against the Cincinnati Reds late in the game and will now be away from the team for most likely the next three days, so fantasy managers need to act accordingly. It could be a nice little break for Riley, who has gone 3-for-15 (.200) with a homer, double, RBI and six strikeouts in four games in the second half of the season. After hitting 30 homers in each of the last three seasons, the 27-year-old's power has been down in 2024, with only 13 long balls and 40 RBI in 86 games this year. With Riley away from the team for the next few games, the Braves will likely go with some combination of Williams, Whit Merrifield (finger) and Zack Short at third base.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley went 2-for-4 in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday evening with a double and a long ball. Riley struck out in his first two plate appearances but broke out of his slide with a solo shot in the sixth and with his 21st double of the campaign in the eighth inning. Since getting off to a slow start across the first two months of the season, the 27-year-old has posted an excellent .292/.366/.563 line with nine home runs and 21 RBI since June 1. In addition, he holds a stellar 15.0% barrel rate and 51.8% hard-hit rate, which are some of the top marks in baseball. Riley is one of the best third basemen in all fantasy formats and is always worth a look in DFS.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley smacked a solo home run Tuesday night as the San Francisco Giants defeated Atlanta 5-4. The home run was his 10th on the season and his third in the last 10 games. Riley's power has been sapped this season with him only being on pace for about 20 home runs after averaging over 30 dingers each of the last three seasons. He's been demoted to the number five spot in the order with the resurgence of Marcel Ozuna's bat this season and also spent a couple of weeks on the injured list. Despite being nine games over .500, it's been a brutal season for the Braves with the many injuries and underperforming players on their roster. Riley has too much power potential and can bounce back at any minute so fantasy managers everywhere should hold strong and hope he can find that consistent power stroke again that has made him one of, if not the best, third basemen in baseball over the past few seasons.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley went deep in an 8-1 win over the New York Yankees on Friday. Riley wound up going 2-for-3 with a homer, two walks, two runs, and one RBI in a victory over New York. The veteran is now batting .251 with seven homers, 37 runs, and 29 RBI over 231 at-bats in 2024. While the power numbers weren't quite what fantasy gamers were expecting when drafting Riley this spring, patience is advised as the 27-year-old posted three straight 30-homer seasons coming into 2024.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run and two walks in Saturday's 9-2 win over the Rays. It was the second consecutive game with a home run and with three RBI. Many of Riley's peripheral stats remain nearly unchanged year-over-year, such as K%, BB%, Contact%, and chase rate, so it is a bit surprising to see such a low .233/.304/.372 slashline. His bat typically heats up with the weather though, with July and August being his two best months for batting average (career .295 in those months) so perhaps this is the beginning of one of his hot streaks.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley revived in Friday night's win over the visiting Tampa Bay Rays, tallying three hits with a home run and three RBI in the victory. After lining an RBI double to left field to push the Braves' lead to 4-1 in the first inning, Riley crushed a two-run homer to left field to extend Atlanta's lead to 7-1 in the second inning. The 27-year-old star slugger has been one of fantasy's biggest busts this year, so hopefully Friday's performance gets him back on track. Riley hadn't gone deep since May 3 before this one, now slashing .230/.296/.357 with four long balls, 11 doubles, and 23 RBI over 213 at-bats. He's a .271 hitter with a .496 slugging percentage for his major-league career, so there's plenty of reason to buy low on Riley before it's too late.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (intercostal) is finally back in the starting lineup on Monday against the visiting Washington Nationals, playing third base and batting in the two-hole against rookie left-hander Mitchell Parker. Riley will make his return after missing the last two weeks with a left-intercostal strain. It's good timing, too, after the Braves just lost reigning National League MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) to a season-ending torn ACL. Riley could be a little rusty at the plate after missing 13 games, but the 27-year-old right-handed slugger should be returned to starting lineups in most fantasy leagues. He's never faced Parker in his career and will return to a .245/.319/.388 slash line with only three home runs, 18 RBI and 22 runs scored in 147 at-bats this year.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (intercostal) once again is out of the team's starting lineup for Sunday's series finale in Pittsburgh against the Pirates. Fantasy managers should not be surprised, as manager Brian Snitker said before the series opener on Friday that Riley was more likely to make his return to action on Memorial Day on Monday for the series opener against the visiting Washington Nationals. The 27-year-old right-handed slugger is missing his 13th straight game but has surprisingly avoided landing on the injured list due to an intercostal strain. Riley swung a bat earlier in the week and will hopefully be back for fantasy managers to start next week. Zack Short remains at third base and will hit ninth against Pirates veteran left-hander Martin Perez on Sunday. Avoid Short in DFS contests.