The Atlanta Braves face a steep playoff uphill climb after Austin Riley’s season ended due to core injury surgery. Riley, who had battled a lower abdominal strain and wasn’t ramping up as hoped, underwent the procedure in Philadelphia with Dr. William Meyers and is expected to be ready for spring training. The Braves must navigate the rest of this season without one of their top hitters, raising questions about lineup depth and fantasy replacements at third base and in the outfield.

The club already endured an injury-plagued year, and the setback echoes the franchise’s recent history of late-season adversity. A historic, improbable rally remains a distant long shot, but as Harrison Smajovits noted, precedent exists for dramatic comebacks. In the immediate term, fantasy managers should reassess Braves projections, pivot to emergent depth pieces, and monitor Riley’s rehab timeline with spring training as the target return.

Historically, comebacks carry both hope and risk; the Cardinals’ 2011 unraveling serves as a cautionary tale and a source of inspiration, depending on perspective. Riley’s absence changes the Braves’ ceiling, but the organization remains focused on a healthy return next season. The latest update from Riley’s camp shows progress, but execution on the field will decide the rest of the year and fantasy rosters as the chase ends for 2024.