Braves Outfielder Markakis Won't Play 2020 MLB Season

Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis announced he would not play during the shortened 2020 MLB season due to COVID-19 concerns.

Markakis stated he came to the decision after a phone conversation with teammate Freddie Freeman who was recently diagnosed with COVID-19 and has been exhibiting fever and other symptoms. "Just hearing him, the way he sounded on the phone, it was tough,'' said Markakis,"It was kind of eye-opening. With everything that's going on, not just with baseball but all over the world, it makes you open your eyes.''

Freeman is one of four Braves to test positive for COVID-19. Pitchers Touki Touissant and Will Smith have tested positive but are not exhibiting symptoms while utility man Pete Kozma has developed a fever.

Markakis, 36, becomes the second Braves player to opt out of taking the field this season. Pitcher Felix Hernandez, who signed with the Braves in the off-season on a minor league deal after 15 seasons with the Seattle Mariners, announced through his agent on Saturday that he would not toe the rubber in 2020. First base coach Eric Young, Sr. has also bowed out of the proceedings.

Markakis has played 14 MLB seasons. His first nine seasons were spent with the Baltimore Orioles before returning to his native Georgia to join the Braves in 2015. Markakis made his first ever All-Star Team in 2018 earning both a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove (the third of his career) while playing in all 162 games. A broken wrist limited Markakis to 116 games in 2019. In 2117 career games, Markakis has collected 2355 hits for a lifetime batting average of .288 with 188 HR and 1031 RBIs.

I have a feeling Markakis won't be the last member of the Braves to lay down his bat and glove this season.