Nick

Markakis

“I just think it’s my time,” Markakis told The Athletic. “My No. 1 decision and my main focus on this is obviously my kids and my family. I’ve been fortunate enough to do this for a very long time and not many people get to do what I’ve gone through. I’m thankful for every second and every minute.” Markakis, 37, had a terrific career, batting .288/.357/.423 with 2,388 hits, 189 home runs and 1,046 RBI over 15 seasons for the Orioles and Braves. He won three Gold Gloves and made one All-Star team.

Markakis was on the bench for the last two games with the Dodgers starting lefties, but he’s back in there with Dustin May on the mound. That means Austin Riley will move from left field back to third base. The Braves’ full lineup looks like this: Ronald Acuna RF, Freddie Freeman 1B, Marcell Ozuna DH, Travis d’Arnaud C, Ozzie Albies 2B, Dansby Swanson SS, Riley 3B, Markakis LF, Cristian Pache CF.

It’s the same starting lineup that the Braves used in their 9-5 NLDS Game 1 victory on Tuesday: Ronald Acuna CF, Freddie Freeman 1B, Marcell Ozuna DH, Travis d’Arnaud C, Ozzie Albies 2B, Dansby Swanson SS, Adam Duvall LF, Nick Markakis RF, Austin Riley 3B. Ian Anderson will be on the mound, facing Pablo Lopez.

That’s 10 doubles in 18 games for Markakis. He’s at 509 doubles for his career, putting him between Babe Ruth and Rickey Henderson on the all-time list. Honestly, maybe he should just stop there.

Markakis was placed on the COVID-19 injured list a week ago for precautionary reasons after coming into contact with someone who tested positive, but he’s been cleared for a return. He’s in the lineup Tuesday against the Yankees. Cristian Pache has been sent to the Braves’ alternate site in a corresponding move.

Markakis has not tested positive for COVID-19, but he apparently came in contact with someone who did. Top outfield prospect Cristian Pache has been called up in a corresponding 28-man roster move.

Markakis is doing pretty great for someone who wasn’t planning on playing this year; he’s 8-for-17 with five doubles in his last five games, pushing his overall OPS up to 1.039. We still wouldn’t recommend him in mixed leagues.

The Braves didn’t need much run support on Sunday with the Atlanta pitching staff holding the Marlins to just two hits and no runs. He provided the Braves a 1-0 cushion with an RBI single in the sixth, and he put the game away with his two-run double in the eighth. Since returning to the Braves, Markakis has shown no rust with a .323/.364/.548 slash in 31 at-bats.

Even though he had given up five runs and eight hits in 1 2/3 innings this season, Font was brought in to start the ninth in a tie game. Marcell Ozuna lined out sharply to open the inning, and Markakis homered on the very next pitch to end the game. It’s unlikely that Markakis will be a real asset to the Braves this season. After all, he’s 36, he wasn’t very good last year and he’s returning to the field with plenty of rust after sitting out the summer camp. He played the hero tonight, though, and he’ll likely keep starting in right field against righties for the foreseeable future.

Markakis is officially back on the Braves’ active roster after reversing course last week on his previous decision to opt out of the 2020 season. The veteran should get semi-everyday playing time between the corner outfield spots and DH. He slashed .285/.356/.420 with nine home runs and two stolen bases in 116 games last year.