When the Atlanta Braves open their crucial three-game home series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday they will be without starting third baseman Austin Riley.
An MRI on Monday revealed that Riley has a fractured right hand after being hit by a pitch during Sunday's road game against the Los Angeles Angels. He is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.
"Any time you get hit in the little bones like that ... it's a shame," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said.
Riley is batting .256 with 19 home runs, 56 RBI and scored 63 runs and leaves Atlanta without a top defensive infielder possibly through the end of the regular season.