left Isaiah Stewart Jersey tonights game in the fourth inning with what the Braves described as left side tightne s. The removal was specifically cited to be a precaution, so there isnt yet any indication that Riley may have suffered an oblique-related injury. Speaking with reporters (including ) afterwards, Riley said he felt the side sorene s during batting practice but didnt inform the team because he didnt think the i sue was too much of a concern. Though Atlanta has an impre sive 24-13 record, Riley is one of a few Braves stars who have yet to really get rolling at the plate. A top-seven finisher in NL MVP voting in each of the last three seasons, Riley has hit only .245/.319/.388 over his first 163 plate appearances, with just three home runs. The power dropoff is unusual since Rileys advanced metrics are largely similar to previous seasons, though since Riley has also shown some streakine s in past years, a breakout might be just around the corner if he is healthy. Losing Riley for any stretch of time would hurt Atlantas lineup, though the Short might have a sudden path to regular lineup if Riley does need to hit the injured list. More from the NL and AL East divisions. Orioles right-hander came out of a 30-pitch bullpen se sion today feeling great , he told and other reporters. Rodriguezs 15-day IL stint due to shoulder inflammation retroactively started on April 30, so Wednesday would be his first day eligible for activation, though it seems as though hell be out for at least a little beyond that date. Rodriguez figures hell throw another bullpen se sion and then it isnt yet certain if hell need a rehab start or not before returning to Baltimores rotation. With a 3.71 ERA in his first 34 innings, Rodriguez is one of several Orioles pitchers performing well this season, giving the Os a nice problem to sort out once everyone is healthy. Mid-back tightne s sent to the Rays 15-day IL on April 24, and he had to halt his throwing program to receive a second cortisone-type shot, a more impactful kind for which he had to undergo anesthesia, writes. The plan is for Poche to start throwing again on Wednesday, and this setback might push his IL activation into June. Poche was a quality workhorse out of the Rays bullpen in 2022-23, but he has struggled to a 6.75 ERA in 9 1/3 innings so far this season. had to make an early exit today, as Winkers back spasms forced the Nationals to pinch-hit for the outfielder in the sixth inning of todays 3-2 lo s to the Red Sox. Winker told the Washington Posts Andrew Golden ( ) and other reporters that his back was sore even prior to the game, but the i sue got worse after he dove for a line drive single in the bottom of the fifth. Though he has greatly cooled off since a very strong start to the season, Winkers .235/.350/.386 slash line and four homers over 157 PA still translates to a 114 wRC+, representing a nice bounce-back from a very disappointing 2023 campaign. It seems like Winker will mi s a game or two at least, and a 10-day IL stint might be nece sary if the spasms persist. Tony Snell Jersey