Atlanta claimed Ha-Seong Kim off waivers from Tampa Bay, adding a versatile infield option who can handle short, second, or third base. Luke Williams was activated from the injured list, Rolddy Muñoz was recalled, and Austin Riley was moved to the 60-day IL as rosters expand to 28 for the series with Chicago.

Kim provides Atlanta with a veteran bat and defensive flexibility as Riley recovers, while the expansion gives the Braves extra bench depth. The move harks back to Kim’s Padres beginnings and highlights Atlanta’s willingness to reshuffle infield pieces for immediate help in a pennant race context.

MLB expansion dominates weekend chatter as Rob Manfred signals a near-term path forward and the biggest question becomes whether a larger league could force a shorter 162-game season. The debate centers on scheduling, workload, and how fantasy rosters would shift with realignment and more teams pushing a busier calendar.

Shohei Ohtani’s postseason future looms large, with talk about pitching out of the bullpen and how that could affect both playoff usage and fantasy value. Craig Kimbrel lands with the Astros, potentially stabilizing late-inning work, while Carson Williams’ promotion in Tampa signals a push toward youth. Braves’ Austin Riley is headed for season-ending surgery, opening opportunities for in-house replacements; Milwaukee climbs to 80 wins as a benchmark, and the Yankees add Paul Blackburn amid off-field chatter around Lucas Erceg. NL West headlines, left-handed pitching threads, and a few light notes from the Little League Classic round out a news cycle that ties expansion to a shifting competitive and fantasy landscape.

Austin Riley will miss the remainder of the season after core-injury surgery, with the Braves signaling a target return for spring training. Riley had earlier spent time on the IL with a strained lower abdomen and finished 2024 at .260 with 16 homers and 54 RBI. To cover the gap, Atlanta swung to add depth: Cal Quantrill was claimed off waivers from the Miami Marlins and joined the Braves’ rotation plans, Dane Dunning was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett, and Jake Fraley joined the roster after Cincinnati DFA’d him. Dylan Dodd was recalled from Gwinnett, Luke Williams landed on the 10-day IL with a strained left oblique, and Connor Seabold was optioned to Gwinnett. The moves underscore Atlanta’s push to stabilize its roster and preserve upside for next season, even as Riley’s absence shapes day-to-day fantasy projections.

Fantasy-impact take: with Riley out, Fraley’s plate appearances and lineup role become more interesting for daily fantasy value, while Quantrill’s addition provides a flexible arm that could push for starts or multi-inning relief. Dodd’s recall could unlock bullpen leverage, and the Seabold/Williams depth could offer streaming opportunities in deeper leagues. Atlanta’s emphasis on depth hints at upside behind the star power, and it keeps the Braves competitive while balancing health into spring training.

Atlanta is navigating a brutal health spell as Austin Riley and Chris Sale heal from injuries, leaving the Braves thin in both lineup and rotation. Riley, sidelined by a strained lower abdominal muscle, is nearing a return, while Sale rests after a left rib fracture with rehab starts on the schedule. Atlanta plans to activate Sale after a final rehab outing, with Riley returning once pain-free. The team sits well below .500 but is counting on a healthier finish and momentum for 2026, anchored by Riley’s long-term commitment and Sale’s ongoing resilience.

Riley’s absence hurts the lineup, but his big-money extension anchors the future. In 102 games for Atlanta, he’s slashed .260/.737 with 16 homers and 54 RBIs, providing a steady middle-of-order presence when available. Sale, meanwhile, has been exceptional since joining the Braves, going 23–7 with a 2.43 ERA across 44 starts, a testament to the high upside when he’s on the mound. His return would boost the rotation as the Braves balance risk with performance, especially as they weigh workload against next season’s plans.

With the team at 56–68 and playoff dreams distant, Atlanta is prioritizing health and ramping up for 2026. Riley’s return is viewed as pivotal for the present and the long arc, while Sale’s estimated workload ramp suggests the club is budgeting for a strong next year. The White Sox series looms as a potential spark, and the Braves will lean on depth until Riley and Sale are fully ramped back into peak form.