Nick Markakis Rejoins Atlanta Braves During Pandemic
ATLANTA, GA — The Atlanta Braves have a former player joining this season. After Nick Markakis announced he wasn’t returning due to the coronavirus pandemic, he reversed his decision.
On Wednesday he said he had a change of heart after watching his teammates play the first handful of games, reported The Associated Press.
"Sitting at home, watching these guys compete ... and all the risks they're going through going out there, in the pit of my stomach I felt I wanted to be out there," he said.
Markakis, who was born in 1983 in Glen Cove and attended Woodstock High School in Georgia, said the decision came after he received a call from Alex Anthopoulos, the team's general manager. Markakis earns about $25,000 for each game he's on the roster or injured list.
He said his family supports him.
"It was nice to be home with the family, but more than anything I know my family wanted me to be out there with (the Braves)," Markakis said.
This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Patch
