NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Austin Riley and the Braves breathed a sigh of relief on Friday, when a CT scan confirmed he didn’t suffer yet another right hand fracture.

X-rays and the CT scan showed no structural damage after Riley’s right hand was hit by a Jackson Rutledge fastball in the first inning of Friday afternoon’s 5-3 loss to the Nationals at CoolToday Park.

Braves manager Brian Snitker indicated Riley may be able to resume playing within the next few days. The initial concern was compounded by the fact Riley missed the final six weeks of the 2024 season with a fractured right hand.

“You get scared anytime somebody's hit in a hand or anything like that,” Snitker said. “There’s so many small bones in there. We saw last year what can happen. I’m glad it turned out well.”

Riley angrily removed his arm guard and batting gloves as he walked toward first base after getting hit by Rutledge’s pitch. He was able to shake head athletic trainer George Poulis’ hand, and he remained in the game to run the bases. Riley didn’t show any discomfort as he used his right hand to toss his batting helmet to first-base coach Tom Goodwin at the end of the inning.

But Riley didn’t return to his third base position at the start of the second inning.

Riley’s right hand was fractured when he was hit by Angels right-hander Jack Kochanowicz’s 97 mph fastball on Aug. 18.

Braves catcher Sean Murphy will begin the upcoming season on the injured list with a cracked left rib. Left fielder Jurickson Profar also received good news earlier this week, when a CT scan showed no structural damage to the left wrist he rolled during a March 8 game against the Pirates. He will be ready before Opening Day.