Nick Markakis rejoins the Atlanta Braves

It’s quite a day for the Atlanta Braves. They are getting back catchers Travis d’Arnaud and Tyler Flowers, who have been sick with COVID-like symptoms but have tested negative each time, and then another familiar face is returning to the team.

Nick Markakis opted out a few weeks ago, but in these trying times (have you heard that phrase in the last 30 minutes?) people have the right to change their mind. Markakis is now opting in, wanting to play again for the Braves.

The Braves had to appeal to MLB for Markakis to return, and it was obviously granted for him to make the announcement Wednesday afternoon at Truist Park.

Markakis was spooked when he spoke with Freddie Freeman the day after it was revealed Freeman had tested positive for COVID-19 and was feeling severe symptoms. Markakis is 36. He’s made all the money he could ever spend. It just didn’t seem worth it to him.

But then Markakis watched a few of the games and obviously felt the need to come back.

“Sometimes in life you make rash decisions without thinking things through,” Markakis said. “At the time, I thought it was the right decision, and it still could be the right decision. But I’m going against my decision.

“I’d like to come back. Sitting at home, watching these guys compete the last couple of days and all the risks that they’re taking going out there, you know, in a way just deep down in the pit of my stomach, I just felt like I needed to be out there.”

In this crazy, shortened season, the Braves will take every talented player they can get. They tried to make up for Markakis’ absence by signing Matt Adams. But his signing was, in part, because Markakis had opted out, making them in need for a lefty bat. Adams, though, is not the complete player that Markakis is, and having them both only makes the Braves better.

And let’s be honest, Markakis’ presence in the socially distanced clubhouse will be valuable. This is still going to be a challenge to complete this season, and the more veteran voices the younger players can hear to keep them in line, the better.

The Braves have had a weird five games at the plate. They busted out late in the game Saturday to win in extra innings, and then Sunday they blew out the Mets, scoring 14 runs. But it’s the strikeouts—64 in five games—that are concerning.

Markakis will definitely help that when he gets back. Among players with at least 3,000 plate appearances since 2015—the year Markakis joined the Braves—only three players (José Altuve, Albert Pujols and Mookie Betts) have lower strikeout percentages than Markakis' 13.5%. He will also give the Braves more options for platoons, with he and right-handed hitter Adam Duvall getting most of the playing time in right field.

Getting d’Arnaud in the lineup will help the production, as well. He had a great summer camp and having him bat sixth lengthens the lineup and provides more power. It also means, at least in Wednesday’s game, the team’s hottest hitter, Dansby Swanson, will be batting seventh.

Markakis joins Duvall, Ronald Acuña Jr., Ender Inciarte, Marcell Ozuna and (for the time being) Scott Schebler in Atlanta's deep outfield. This gives manager Brian Snitker a tremendous list of options for the designated hitter in every game—a luxury not every NL manager has in the first year with the DH.

Acuña and Freeman have struggled so far, but there's no reason to think they won't hit this year. And with Markakis back and d’Arnaud ready to make his Atlanta debut, the Braves are ready to make an NL East run over the next 55 games.

Listen to The Bill Shanks Show weekdays at 3:00 p.m. ET on Middle Georgia’s ESPN. You can listen online at TheSuperStations.com. Follow Bill on Twitter at @billshanks and you can email him at thebillshanksshow@yahoo.com.