Atlanta Braves: Nick Markakis reinstated after opting out

After opting out of the season because of COVID-19 concerns, Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis becomes baseball’s first player to opt back in.

Upon learning of teammate and friend Freddie Freeman‘s condition after being found to be COVID-positive, Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis decided the 2020 MLB season just wasn’t worth it. Now, close to a week into the shortened season, Markakis has had a change of mind.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Markakis was permitted to return only after applying to the Commissioner’s office. The application was approved by the league, it’s players, and the Braves organization.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

For the Braves, they breathe a sigh of relief, as they have suffered through some bad luck regarding the virus. Though the aforementioned Freeman has returned and is playing in the regular season when his positive test was announced and his wife reported his condition, it looked like his absence would be extended.

In fact, Markakis’ original decision to opt-out only came after he spoke to Freeman on the phone. Whatever Freeman told him scared him to the point that Markakis didn’t think playing this season was worth the risk.

Days later, the Braves went ahead and signed Yasiel Puig in an effort to replace Markakis. unfortunately, Puig also tested positive for COVID-19 and his contract was promptly annulled.

So far, the 2020 MLB season has been an eventful one. Currently, the Miami Marlins are experiencing an outbreak which has negatively impacted the schedules of three other teams, the Philadelphia Phillies (won’t play again until Friday), the New York Yankees, and the Baltimore Orioles.

The Good news, however, is that MLB reported zero positive tests outside of the Marlins outbreak, which might have encouraged Nick Markakis to want to come back.

The Atlanta Braves are currently 2-3 and are favored to win the NL East. Markakis will provide a steady bat and defense for the team.