Braves power-hitting third-base prospect Austin Riley is on the Triple-A Gwinnett disabled list and expected to miss several weeks with a sprained right knee, which could potentially push back his major league arrival.
Riley sprained the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee while diving for a ball and hasn’t played since June 3.
The 21-year-old former first-round draft pick has hit .308 with 10 home runs, 38 RBIs and a .922 OPS in 201 at-bats over 53 combined games this season, including .284 with four homers and a .777 OPS in 26 games since a promotion from Double-A to Triple-A.
He has 38 strikeouts with 10 walks in 102 at-bats at Gwinnett, after striking out 28 times and posting a 1.071 OPS in 99 at-bats at Double-A Mississippi.
The Braves haven’t said when they expect to call Riley to the majors, but there were indications that it could be by late summer if he showed he was ready.
Riley hit three homers in a May 13 game in his first week after being promoted to Triple-A, but hit .260 with one homer, 30 strikeouts and a .658 OPS in 73 at-bats over his last 19 games before going on the DL.
