Nick Markakis rejoins Braves for rest of 2020 season

Veteran outfielder Nick Markakis is opting back into the 2020 season and rejoining the Atlanta Braves for the remainder of the year, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. Markakis opted out of the 2020 season in early July following the news that four Braves players, including All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman had tested positive for COVID-19. 

The Braves also tweeted this afternoon that catcher Tyler Flowers and Travis d'Arnaud are rejoining the team after being reinstated off the Injured List. 

The addition of Markakis and the two catchers will give the Braves added depth throughout the rest of the season, which is especially helpful in this strange, shortened season. 

Markakis is a career .288 hitter with 1,031 RBIs. He's been a productive outfielder for the Braves in his five years in Atlanta, becoming an All-Star for the first time in 2018. He's hit .284/.358/.424 in his time with the Braves and has been extremely durable, playing at least 156 games in all but one season. 

Catcher Alex Jackson and William Contreras have filled in nicely for Flowers and d'Arnaud for the first five games of the season, but it will be good for the Braves to get their regular catchers back with the team. 

Atlanta has started the season 2-3, winning two games against the Mets to begin the season before dropping back-to-back games against Tampa Bay this week. They head to Atlanta for the home opener tonight against the Rays, and having their veterans back should be helpful in these next two games.