Austin Riley

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• Braves' Austin Riley: Expected to remain at hot corner

  01/11/2021 •

  The Braves are planning for Riley to begin the upcoming season as their everyday third baseman, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports. After spending much of his debut season in 2019 in left field, Riley served as the primary replacement for the departed Josh Donaldson at third base in 2020, appearing at the position in 46 of his 51 games. Though Riley's defensive work left much to be desired, the Braves aren't yet willing to abandon hope of him improving enough to stick at the position long term. Because of their commitment to Riley at third base, Morosi suggests the Braves' main focus this winter will be in adding another left fielder now that both Marcell Ozuna and Adam Duvall are free agents.

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• Braves' Austin Riley: Hits go-ahead homer

  10/13/2020 •

  Riley went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Monday's NLCS Game 1 win against the Dodgers. Riley's homer, a solo shot off Blake Treinen in the top of the ninth inning, broke a 1-1 deadlock and proved to be all the Braves would need in a game they'd eventually win 5-1. The game-winning blast makes up for the fact that the 23-year-old is hitting a modest .238 with a 41.7 percent strikeout rate through six playoff games this season.

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• Braves' Austin Riley: Batting ninth in Game 1

  09/30/2020 •

  Riley (quadriceps) will start at third base and bat ninth Wednesday in Game 1 against the Reds. We already knew that he was going to be in the Game 1 lineup, despite the fact he is not fully healthy. Riley will have his work cut out for him facing righty Trevor Bauer, who has held same-handed hitters to a .146/.205/.220 line this season.

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• Braves' Austin Riley: Not fully healthy but will play

  09/29/2020 •

  Riley (quadriceps) isn't 100 percent but will be in the in lineup Wednesday against the Reds for Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. Quadriceps tightness has kept Riley off the field since Friday, the only time he's played in the past week. Given that we're now in the playoffs, however, teams will be more willing to risk players who are less than 100 percent, so it's no surprise that Riley is expected to play.

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• Braves' Austin Riley: Should be ready for Game 1

  09/27/2020 •

  Riley (quadriceps) is expected to return for the first game of the playoffs Wednesday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. Riley was held out of the final two games of the regular season after aggravating his right quad Friday, but manager Brian Snitker said that Riley felt great during live batting practice Sunday. He should play third base as Atlanta takes on the Reds in the first round of the playoffs.

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