Atlanta Braves: Austin Riley injury may trigger tough decisions this Winter

The original plan might have been for Austin Riley to play third base this season, but suddenly there’s a chance that it might not be a sure thing in 2020 either.

On Wednesday, we found out together that Atlanta Braves third-baseman-and-outfielder Austin Riley was being placed on the Injured List with what has been described in ever-more-depressing fashion:

• “discomfort”
• “swelling… higher discomfort”
• “knee issues”
• “strain”
• “knee ligament injury”
• “partially torn LCL”

Originally, this was thought to be a re-injury of the knee that bit him late last season – almost exactly 14 months ago.  In that instance, he ‘only’ missed a month of games at Gwinnett.

This injury… may be different.

Riley met with the media Thursday afternoon ahead of the sluggish night that the Braves’ had in Marlins’ Park and discussed the injury, which occurred during an apparently routine workout during the Minnesota series.

Kelsey Wingert was asking the questions, but this video comes to us via 680 The Fan:

Then there was the almost offhand manner in which Riley delivered the punchline:  he’s going to get a second opinion on Monday from Dr. James Andrews.

I’m sorry – the good Doctor has been little short of a miracle worker for so many athletes over the past 4 decades or so, but hearing that he’s involved in the case kinda feels like your personal Accountant suggesting that you get a second look at your finance books from an IRS Auditor.

The LCL attaches the outer side of the femur (the upper leg bone) to the fibula (the smaller, rear-side lower leg bone).

In terms of thickness and durability, this ligament has the appearance of one of the lesser ligaments of the several that hold our legs and knee joins together.  In other words, even a small tear could be significant.

If Riley was doing a ‘mobility’ exercise for his hips, it would make some sense that the LCL would be involved, as side-to-side movement would put some stress on that ligament.

Heck, even if he comes back fully healthy for next Spring, which would better for Riley in the long term:  third base… a position in which the ability to make sudden lateral movements is essential… or the outfield?

Only the doctors may be able to make that call.

While We Wait

Obviously there will need to be additional examinations, almost certainly including MRI looks.  Riley will be shut down for a while regardless, but now the Braves face a few issues:

• Adam Duvall‘s stock just increased.  He will be arbitration eligible again this Fall.  Given this injury and Duvall’s improved performance (thus far) in the majors, it’s certainly reasonable to think that the Braves will tender him a contract to retain his services.
• Josh Donaldson‘s Atlanta tenure – if it wasn’t already under consideration to be extended for a second year – now has to be a higher priority.

There has been some thought that Riley’s injury from 2018 might have led the Braves to sign Donaldson in the 1st place (this writer believes that it wasn’t a factor), but this injury could certainly drive a decision like that this coming Winter.

Oddly enough, it was Donaldson’s legs that were the ‘risky’ bit entering this season… and after the rust was knocked off, he’s been every bit the player that Atlanta had hoped for.

The trick, of course, will be in whether the Braves will be able to actually get Donaldson back.

From all indications, he’s having a great time in this clubhouse, but as with everything, it could simply come down to money.

Donaldson has never had a long-term contract deal, yet the 33 year-old (will be 34 in December) could have some trouble finding anyone wanting him for 3 or 4 more seasons… particularly if Atlanta saddles him with a Qualifying Offer… which almost certainly would happen if he rejects their overtures.

Even so, his career earnings are over $80 million, but it wouldn’t be hard to imagine that a 2 year/$50 million contract might be the minimum required to ink him in free agency this Winter.

Atlanta is supposed to have more to spend in 2020… we’ll see how that goes, too.

It is unfortunate that key injuries create such situations and it’s going to be a ‘hold your breath’ moment on Monday until we can find out the prognosis for the Atlanta Braves’ precocious rookie.