Nick Markakis
Washington Nationals' Juan Soto grounds out to second during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Monday, March 15, 2021, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Welcome back, fans! MLB openers bring stars, hope and crowds

By Ben Walker Mar. 31, 2021 10:42 AM EDT

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman takes during live batting practice before playing the Baltimore Orioles in a spring baseball game at CoolToday Park in North Port, Fla., Wednesday, March 3, 2021. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
National League East Preview Capsules

By The Associated Press Mar. 18, 2021 08:32 PM EDT

Atlanta Braves infielder Johan Camargo, left, and outfielder Cristian Pache watch spring training baseball practice in North Port, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Braves rookie CF Pache banking on postseason in bid to start

By Charles Odum Feb. 25, 2021 03:10 PM EST

Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Avisail Garcia runs to catch a fly ball by St. Louis Cardinals' Paul DeJong during the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Pandemic playoffs: Brewers, Astros in despite losing records

By Ben Walker Sep. 27, 2020 08:57 PM EDT

Atlanta Braves center fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. catches a fly out by Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper during the fifth inning of the second baseball game in a doubleheader, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Braves call up top prospect Anderson to face Cole, Yankees

By Paul Newberry Aug. 25, 2020 04:34 PM EDT

Atlanta Braves Nick Markakis' follows through on a game-winning home run in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Braves OF Markakis goes on IL, possible COVID-19 exposure

Aug. 18, 2020 07:31 PM EDT

New York Mets' Yoenis Cespedes, right, celebrates his solo home run with Robinson Cano (24) during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field, Friday, July 24, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Mets slugger Céspedes leaves team, opts out of 2020 season

Aug. 02, 2020 06:35 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2020, file photo, Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis waits to take batting during baseball spring training in North Port, Fla. Markakis is returning to the Braves, three weeks after announcing his decision to opt out of the 2020 season due to his concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File)
Braves' Markakis returns 3 weeks after opting out of season

By Charles Odum Jul. 29, 2020 04:37 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2020, file photo, Atlanta Braves catcher Tyler Flowers (25) watches during spring training baseball camp in North Port, Fla. The Braves are without their top two catchers, Tyler Flowers and Travis d'Árnaud, for Friday’s opening game at the New York Mets after both players showed symptoms of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Braves missing catchers Flowers, dÁrnaud with virus symptoms

By Charles Odum Jul. 24, 2020 12:36 PM EDT

San Francisco Giants' Alex Dickerson, right, celebrates with third base coach Ron Wotus after hitting a home run off of Oakland Athletics pitcher Mike Fiers during the second inning of an exhibition baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Opening day amid virus: Masks, empty parks, social justice

By Ben Walker Jul. 22, 2020 01:21 PM EDT

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman fields a ground ball by Yonder Alonso and tags first for the out during the second inning of an intrasquad game Saturday, July 18, 2020, in Atlanta. It was Freeman's fist game since his battle with Covid-19. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Freeman prayed 'Please don't take me' during COVID-19 fight

By Charles Odum Jul. 18, 2020 07:20 PM EDT

Tampa Bay Rays' Tyler Glasnow throws during baseball practice Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Puig picks Braves, Glasnow makes strong return to Rays

By Charles Odum Jul. 14, 2020 06:59 PM EDT

Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos adjusts his mask as he walks back to the dugout during a baseball practice at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, July 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dodgers closer Jansen encourages masks after positive test

By Joe Kay Jul. 12, 2020 05:19 PM EDT

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo gives instructions to players during an intrasquad baseball game Monday, July 6, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Posey out for 2020 as MLB teams deal with churning rosters

By David Brandt Jul. 10, 2020 06:01 PM EDT

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer throws during a baseball training camp workout at Nationals Park, Wednesday, July 8, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Giants return, so do some players, but Padres INF Mateo out

By David Ginsburg Jul. 08, 2020 05:48 PM EDT

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, center in orange shorts, looks on as his team warms up during baseball training camp, Tuesday, July 7, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
More positive tests, canceled workouts add to MLB unease

By Charles Odum Jul. 07, 2020 06:26 PM EDT

Texas Rangers second baseman Nick Solak, left, tags out Rougned Odor on a stolen base-attempt during an intrasquad practice baseball game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Monday, July 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
MLB releases pandemic-shortened schedule amid testing delays

By Bernie Wilson Jul. 06, 2020 09:19 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 5, 2020, file photo, Atlanta Braves' Nick Markakis, right, talks with a coach during team practice at Truist Park in Atlanta. Braves outfielder Nick Markakis has opted out of the 2020 season. The 36-year-old Markakis said he was uneasy about playing the season without fans and then was swayed by his telephone conversation with teammate Freddie Freeman, who has tested positive for COVID-19 and has fever and other symptoms. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Braves 'ultimate pro' OF Nick Markakis opts out of season

By Charles Odum Jul. 06, 2020 01:57 PM EDT

Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel runs through a drill during a baseball practice at Minute Maid Park, Sunday, July 5, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Nats, Astros, Cards cancel workouts over virus testing delay

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 06, 2020 11:22 AM EDT

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo watches players during team baseball practice at Chase Field, Friday, July 3, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Latest: Diamondbacks OF Kole Calhoun tests positive

By The Associated Press Jul. 06, 2020 10:47 AM EDT