Atlanta Braves Announce Austin Riley Decision Before Nationals Game

The Atlanta Braves are set to begin a four-game series against the Washington Nationals at Truist Park at 7:15 p.m. EDT on Thursday.

Before Thursday’s game, the Braves announced a decision regarding third baseman Austin Riley.

Austin Riley Out of Lineup Thursday Evening Against Nationals

GettyBALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JULY 26: Austin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves drives in the go-ahead run with a double in the 11th inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 26, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Here is Thursday night’s Braves lineup:

1. Drake Baldwin C
2. Ronald Acuña Jr. RF
3. Matt Olson 1B
4. Michael Harris II CF
5. Ozzie Albies 2B
6. Mauricio Dubón 3B
7. Dominic Smith DH
8. Mike Yastrzemski LF
9. Jim Jarvis SS

Riley is getting the night off after hitting eighth and playing third base in the series finale against the New York Mets on Wednesday night. He went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in the National League East matchup.

Right-hander Grant Holmes (6-4, 3.79 ERA, 83 SO, 97 1/3 IP) is slated to start for the Braves. Right-hander Jake Irvin (2-4, 5.23 ERA, 58 SO, 51 2/3 IP) is lined up to pitch for the Nationals.

Here is Washington’s lineup:

1. James Wood RF
2. Luis García Jr. 1B
3. Dylan Crews CF
4. C.J. Abrams SS
5. Daylen Lile LF
6. Keibert Ruiz C
7. José Tena DH
8. Jorbit Vivas 3B
9. Nasim Nuñez 2B

Austin Riley Struggling This Season

GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 13: Austin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves in action during the fourth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on June 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images)

Riley has had a rough season so far. The 29-year-old third baseman has slashed just .212/.290/.344 with 12 home runs and 50 RBI in 108 games this year.

Riley is in the middle of a 10-year $212 million contract extension he signed with Atlanta in 2022. Since making his MLB debut in 2019, Riley has slashed .264/.329/.476 with 181 home runs and 533 RBI over 929 games.

Atlanta Braves Right Now

GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 20: Manager Walt Weiss of the Atlanta Braves calls for a pitching change during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Truist Park on July 20, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

The Braves have won six of their last 10 games. The team won two of four games against the Mets earlier this week.

Atlanta is in first place in the National League East with a 63-45 record. The second-place Philadelphia Phillies are 6 1/2 games back of the Braves in the division standings.

Washington Nationals Right Now

GettyWASHINGTON, DC – JULY 07: Manager Blake Butera #10 of the Washington Nationals looks on from the dugout during the third inning against the Houston Astros at Nationals Park on July 7, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

The Nationals have won six of their last 10 games. They lost two of three games to the Toronto Blue Jays before heading to Atlanta to take on the Braves.

Washington is in fourth place in the National League East with a 55-54 record. The team is 8 1/2 games back of the first-place Braves and two games back of the final National League Wild Card spot.

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