As the Atlanta Braves approach spring training for the 2026 season, Austin Riley is focused on making his comeback after a difficult 2025 campaign. The standout player, recovering from core surgery in August 2025, is working hard to regain his baseball form and contribute fully once again. Riley’s injury forced him out after playing 102 games last year, where he batted .260 with 16 home runs and 54 RBIs.
Reflecting on the mental challenges of being sidelined, Riley openly admitted the experience was frustrating. He shared the difficulty of watching from the bench and feeling disconnected from the game and his teammates.
You know, I pride myself in playing every day and posting every day and being a guy that walks in the clubhouse and knows that my teammates can count on me to show up,
Riley said, according to MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM.
So it was tough. Felt like I turned into a mad scientist sitting on the bench, just deep-diving my swing and dissecting every inch of it.
But I think, you know, you try to take the positives out of everything, and take a step back and look back at, you know, the success I had in ’21, ’22, ’23, and just try to mirror that swing, and, you know, I feel really good with my swing where it is right now,
he added.
Riley Aims to Regain Consistency Seen in Previous Seasons
Riley is targeting a return to the high level of performance he showed between 2021 and 2023, seasons in which he appeared in at least 159 games and hit over 30 home runs each year. His 2024 season saw a slight dip with 110 games played, and the injury in 2025 interrupted his progression. Despite these setbacks, he remains determined to get back to his peak form.
With the Braves seeking improvement after finishing 76-86 and ranking fourth in the NL East behind the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Miami Marlins, Riley’s comeback is seen as an important part of the team’s strategy. His readiness will be closely watched throughout spring training and as the Braves open their season on March 27 against the Kansas City Royals.
The Impact of Riley’s Return on the Braves’ Outlook for 2026
How well Austin Riley returns this spring will likely influence the Braves’ chances of bouncing back in a competitive division. Known for his reliable presence on the field and in the clubhouse, Riley’s ability to stay healthy and produce consistent offense will be key for Atlanta’s hopes of climbing the NL East standings. His teammates and fans alike will be eager to see if he can recapture the form that made him an essential contributor in past seasons.
Additionally, Austin Riley today underwent core injury surgery, performed by Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia, PA. He will miss the remainder of the regular season, and is expected to return for spring training in 2026.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 21, 2025
Austin Riley on the mental part of being hurt last year: "It sucked."#Braves #SpringTrainingTour
🔗 https://t.co/WG5zyiVTKm pic.twitter.com/BLSssxCdNc— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) February 27, 2026
