Major injury to Marlins rivals might end their playoff hopes

He could've been a member of the Miami Marlins...but instead Austin Riley plays for the division rival Atlanta Braves. The team that's completely falling apart with injuries this season. I can't imagine how a team can deal with injury after injury and I do give them credit for continuing to try and contend. This time however it just might be too much, as the aforementioned Austin Riley is likely out for the season with a right hand fracture.

Miami Marlins division rivals suffered a catastrophic injury.

I should start by saying that I'm not happy when a player gets injured. These are human beings and regardless of what team they play for, no one deserves to get hurt and miss time with an injury. It saddens me that Austin Riley will likely miss the rest of the season and it's a catastrophic blow to Atlanta.

Riley has been having a good season for Atlanta, batting .256/.322/.461, with 19 home runs and 56 RBI in 110 games and 425 AB. With his typically good defense, he's been worth 2.8 WAR for his performance this season. Last season he was better though. He batted .281/.345/.516, with 37 home runs and 97 RBI in 159 games and 636 AB. He was worth 5.9 WAR.

I still wonder what could've been had the Miami Marlins made the aforementioned trade with Atlanta for Riley. I would've gladly seen J.T. Realmuto traded for a middle of the order bat like Riley. Since 2021, Riley has been worth 21.3 WAR. During that same time period, Realmuto had been worth 15.5 WAR. Considering Riley's team control and better power, I can only dream of a Marlins lineup with him in it. It won't happen of course and the actual Realmuto trade was a complete disaster.

The Atlanta Braves are fighting to defend their third NL Wild Card spot from the New York Mets. With Austin Riley likely injured for the season, it might be all that the Mets need to take that spot away. Sadly, the Miami Marlins won't be joining either of these teams in the playoffs this season.