Riley, 28, underwent core injury surgery on Thursday in Philadelphia and is expected to return by spring training, the Braves announced. The third baseman’s procedure is intended to fix a sports hernia and requires a few months of recovery and rehab.

But Atlanta has the clear pitching advantage, since Strider has a solid 3.71 ERA and 1.22 WHIP despite his 5-8 record. Cincinnati is 1-5 in Burns’ six starts, with its lone victory coming in walk-off fashion against the Yankees.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Zack Littell lasted just three innings against the Diamondbacks in a game the Reds eventually lost in 11 innings.

Cal Quantrill was claimed off waivers on Thursday and will get the ball on Saturday to make his Atlanta debut when the Braves host the New York Mets in the second game of their three-game series.

Hurston Waldrep will be the pitcher for the Atlanta Braves against the Cincinnati Reds when the Speedway Classic resumes at Bristol Motor Speedway

This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon's Reds Beat newsletter, with collaboration from Braves beat reporter Mark Bowman. Subscribe to get newsletters regularly in your inbox. CINCINNATI -- Major League Baseball players are used to big ballparks,