Atlanta Braves Nick Markakis goes home for personal reasons
By Jeff Schafer
Braves Markakis goes home to Baltimore
When the Atlanta Braves released their lineup for Wednesday night, it was a little strange to see Nick Markakis not in right field. The veteran usually does not take a night off, but I thought maybe after the doubleheader on Monday and Tuesday’s game, he needed a day of rest.
From the news we’re receiving, it’s something other than rest for the 33-year-old.
Markakis left after last night’s game in New York to go back home to Baltimore for “personal reasons.” We’re not exactly sure what’s going on, but we’re praying for him.
Nick Markakis went home to Baltimore area after game last night for personal reasons. #Braves hope to have him back for weekend in Miami.
— Kelsey Wingert-Linch (@KelsWingert) September 27, 2017
Markakis left after last nights game to tend to a personal matter. Snit hopes to have him back this weekend in Miami. #Braves
— 680 The Fan (@680TheFan) September 27, 2017
Thoughts and prayers are definitely with Markakis and his family. Really hoping that everything is okay.
The 12-year veteran outfielder has played in 156 out of 157 games for the Braves in 2017. He has a slash line of .276/.355/.388 with eight home runs, 39 doubles, 75 RBIs and 75 runs scored. Markakis put together an extremely solid season.
A lot of people give Markakis a hard time, but the dude is one of the most consistent ball players out there. He’s played in over 155 games 10 of his 12 seasons…the other two, his rookie year he played 147 and in 2012 he played in 104 games.
In Kelsey’s tweet, she said Brian Snitker hopes that Markakis will return for the weekend series with Miami. This news is still extremely current and we don’t know the full details of what’s going on so it’s hard to say when he’ll return.
The Braves start the last series of 2017 on Thursday as we finish off the year with a four-game series with the Miami Marlins, in Miami.
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Many are anticipating the Braves to try and trade Markakis — or Matt Kemp — this offseason. His stats are extremely consistent and would help out a contending team.
It would be interesting to see if the Braves and the Baltimore Orioles could work out a deal. Markakis spent nine seasons there before signing as a free agent with the Atlanta Braves.
I do think the Braves front office and Joh Coppolella will find a trading partner for Markakis this offseason. He still has one year left on the contract he signed on December 3, 2014 with the Atlanta Braves.