The Atlanta Braves were dealt a significant blow on Saturday as they placed star third baseman Austin Riley on the 10-day injured list due to a right abdominal strain. The injury occurred during Friday night’s dramatic 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, when Riley exited the game in the fourth inning after appearing to experience discomfort while running the bases.
Riley, 28, has been a cornerstone of Atlanta’s lineup throughout the 2025 season. Through 93 games, the two-time All-Star was batting .274 with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs. His production has been a major asset for a Braves squad fighting to stay in postseason contention. He currently leads the team with 104 hits and ranks second in runs scored with 51. However, he also ranks tied for third in the National League in strikeouts with 113, highlighting a somewhat volatile but powerful presence at the plate.
In Riley’s absence, the Braves have called up 22-year-old infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. from Triple-A Gwinnett. Alvarez made his Major League debut last season but struggled during his brief stint, managing only a .100 batting average (3-for-30) across eight games. Despite the slow start, Alvarez remains a promising young talent within the Braves’ organization and is expected to fill in at third base as Riley recovers. His promotion offers him a fresh opportunity to prove himself at the big league level, especially with the team looking for answers on both offense and defense.
In another roster move, Atlanta added left-hander Joey Wentz to the active roster. Wentz, 27, was claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Twins on Friday. This move marks a homecoming for the southpaw, who was originally selected by the Braves in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft. Wentz’s professional journey has been a winding one, with previous stops including the Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and most recently the Twins.
This season, Wentz has struggled to find consistent success in the majors. Between his time with the Pirates and Twins, he has appeared in 25 games out of the bullpen, posting a 6.88 ERA. Despite those numbers, the Braves are hoping that a return to familiar surroundings and a new opportunity could help the lefty regain some of the promise he once showed as a top draft pick.
To make room for Wentz, right-hander Nathan Wiles was optioned back to Triple-A Gwinnett following Friday’s game. Wiles had been part of the Braves’ bullpen shuffle in recent weeks as the team continues to tinker with its pitching depth during the dog days of summer.
As the Braves work to keep pace in the National League playoff race, the loss of Riley is undoubtedly a tough setback. However, the additions of Alvarez and Wentz provide Atlanta with some fresh faces and potential upside as they navigate this stretch of the season. Braves fans will hope for a speedy recovery for Riley, whose bat and presence at third base will be sorely missed in the weeks ahead.