When a baseball collided with the wrist of Atlanta Braves right-fielder Markakis, it ignited four-run inning when nine batters came to the plate. It also created an additional trade deadline problem for GM Alex Anthopoulos.
As Daniel wrote earlier, most immediately knew Markakis’ injury could end his season. Not having Markakis available created a situation Atlanta Braves Manager Brian Snitker had never faced.
In every game last season and all but six of the 34 different lineups used this season, he penciled-in Nick Markakis hitting either fourth or fifth. He can’t do that today or for the foreseeable future.
#Braves roster moves and injury updates: pic.twitter.com/dV6HUiNVeP
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 27, 2019
With just over eight weeks left in the season, this ends Markakis’s 2019 campaign.
After Friday’s game, Markakis had a .284/.358/.429/.787 line, hit nine home runs, 22 doubles, and two triples.
Statcast says he hit in some bad luck, but according to Fangraphs, his .336 wOBA and 105 wRC+sits just above the league average of .318 wOBA and 94 wRC+.
His 2018 Gold Glove aside, Markakis ties Nicholas Castellanos and Nomar Mazara at – 6 DRS, ranked #17 of 23 right fielders with 400 innings. UZR places him #22 ahead of only Charlie Blackmon
Matt Joyce, Austin Riley, and Charlie Culberson are Snitker’s existing outfield options. None are an everyday choice for the skipper; Joyce and Culberson perform best off the bench, and Riley’s struggling badly at the plate.
Freddie Freeman’s words highlight Markakis’ leadership as the potentially biggest loss to the team:
Freeman on Markakis: "that's tough. Five years he's been that constant veteran leader in this clubhouse. I don't know if the news is going to be good but we're all hoping for a miracle here. It's tough, kinda put a damper on tonight" #Braves
— 680 The Fan (@680TheFan) July 27, 2019
Markakis’ statement exemplified the quality Freeman highlighted:
Markakis: "these guys are going to be fine. I'll still be here, just be watching from a different angle. These guys have overcome a lot of things. Injuries are part of the game, that's the chance you take very time you step in between those white lines" #Braves
— 680 The Fan (@680TheFan) July 27, 2019
While the Braves can’t replace his gravitas, they must find someone who provides solid defense and hopefully, better production.
The Braves will evaluate Duvall over the next two days while searching for options to backfill the roster.