Austin Riley out of lineup while awaiting MRI results

The Atlanta Braves are being cautious with their third baseman.

He’s not an easy guy to replace.

Austin Riley is not in the team’s roster for Monday night’s series opener against the Chicago Cubs. The third baseman was ejected from Sunday night’s game in New York due to “left tightness” after a strikeout. Manager Brian Snitker explained in an in-game interview that Riley felt similar tension during batting practice, which prompted the change.

Newly acquired Zack Short replaces Riley, playing third base and batting ninth Monday.

Riley’s comments after Friday night’s game showed he wasn’t particularly concerned: No MRI was scheduled because he needed to see how he felt this morning. Well, with the pain lingering on day two, Riley was sent for an MRI today and was not in the clubhouse before tonight’s game due to media availability.

Snitker said they expect to know more after the game, but the hope is that Riley can avoid a stint on the injured list. The Braves are currently without starting catcher Sean Murphy, who strained himself in Atlanta’s season opener and continued to be held out of action. He has progressed in his rehabilitation to the point of swinging a bat and hitting in the batting cage, but he still has no estimated return to play date.

Riley has been stuck in an offensive slump to open the season, currently hitting just .245 with three homers and a .707 OPS, but he has made his presence felt on the defensive end. According to MLB Statcast, Riley’s defensive mark of 2 outs above average places him in the 82nd percentile for all defenders. He is currently tied for 2nd among third basemen with Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros and Alec Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies. All three follow St. Louis Cardinals slugger Nolan Arenado, whose streak of ten consecutive Gold Glove awards at third base was snapped last season.