Phillies Andrew McCutchen puts angry fan in his place with perfect tweet


This qualifies as a big surprise, especially given the current MLB circumstances.

Braves outfielder Nick Markakis, who retired from the season on July 6 after a “revealing” conversation with teammate Freddie Freeman, returned to participate. Freeman tested positive for COVID-19 in early July and experienced “body aches.” Headaches, chills and high fever, “wrote his wife Chelsea on Instagram. Shortly after the news of Freeman’s fight with the coronavirus, both Markakis and first-year Braves starting pitcher Felix Hernandez chose to leave. it’s from the season.

But Markakis has changed his mind.

“Sometimes in life you make hasty decisions without thinking,” Markakis said Wednesday.

“At the time, I thought it was the right decision and it might still be the right decision. But I’m going against my decision. I’d like to go back. Sitting at home watching these guys compete in the past few days.” And all the risks they are taking going around, I somehow, deep down in the pit of my stomach, felt like I needed to be out there.

“It was nice to be home with the family, but I know that my family, my wife, and my children loved me here more than anything. I know there are difficult times out there right now … But deep down it didn’t sit well. with me and here I am now. “

It’s been a difficult month for the Braves. Freeman, left-handed reliever Will Smith, pitcher Touki Toussaint and utility Pete Kozma tested positive for COVID-19. Markakis and Hernández were excluded. Yasiel Puig, brought in to replace Markakis, also tested positive, so the Braves did not sign him.

Separately, Cole Hamels, who signed a one-year, $ 18 million contract in the offseason, is in IL with a triceps injury and is not expected to return anytime soon.

Freeman returned in time for opening day last Friday, and Smith dropped the COVID protocol over the weekend. Markakis is back now. The Braves have started the season 2-3 against the Mets and Rays.

The timing of Markakis’ decision is surprising in light of 16 Marlins who reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, with the Phillies out until Saturday and the Nationals this weekend because they were slated to face the Marlins. . NL East has already been significantly affected by the realities of 2020.

Markakis, when ready, will likely slide back to right field for the Braves, pushing Ronald Acuña Jr. back to center and Ender Inciarte out of the starting lineup on offense-optimizing nights with DH Matt Adams. On other nights, Markakis could DH with Inciarte wandering around the garden.

In 14 major league seasons, Markakis has hit .288 / .358 / .424 with 499 doubles and 188 home runs. With 2,355 career successes, he has a good chance of reaching 3,000 but it is possible. He will be 37 in November. His numbers in 91 games against the Phillies are similar to his career numbers, although he only homered four times and has dropped about 20 points less than against the rest of the NL East Division.

Markakis is the first player to opt for the season. In total, 14 MLB players have chosen to exit the season:

• Welington Castillo Nationals Catcher

• Rockies reliever Tim Collins

• Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond

• Braves starter Félix Hernández

• Cardinals reliever Jordan Hicks

• White Sox starting pitcher Michael Kopech

• Diamondbacks starting pitcher Mike Leake

• Red Sox pitcher Collin McHugh

• The pirate reliever Héctor Noesi

• Giant catcher Buster Posey

• Dodgers opening pitcher David Price

• Nationals pitcher Joe Ross

• Cubs outfielder Mark Zagunis

• Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman

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