SATURDAY, 5:28pm: Markakis suffered a fractured wrist and is likely to miss six to eight weeks, according to Burns. While Markakis won’t need surgery, he still won’t return until the middle of September.
12:02pm: The Braves placed both Swanson and Markakis on the 10-day injured list, per Burns. Max Fried takes one roster spot, while Duvall has been recalled to take the other. Swanson’s injury is listed as a right foot contusion, whereas Markakis, as feared, has a fractured right wrist (Twitter links).
FRIDAY: The NL East-leading Braves have seen their advantage over the second-place Nationals dwindle a bit over the past couple weeks. At 61-43, the Braves still own a 5 1/2-game cushion, but it appears their lineup is about to take two notable hits. The club could lose shortstop Dansby Swanson and right fielder Nick Markakis to the injured list, Gabriel Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution relays (links here).
Swanson injured the base of his heel Tuesday and hasn’t played since. The Braves will make a decision Saturday on a potential IL stint for Swanson, per manager Brian Snitker. The news sounds far worse for Markakis, who took a 91 mph fastball off the left wrist from Phillies southpaw Cole Irvin on Friday. While he Braves wound up winning the game, they probably lost Markakis in the process. He’ll see a doctor Saturday, but Markakis said after the game that “it doesn’t look good,” and Burns writes that Snitker was “pessimistic” about his status.
Both Swanson and Markakis have been solid complements this year to the Braves’ top-tier position players in Ronald Acuna Jr., Freddie Freeman, Josh Donaldson and Ozzie Albies. The 25-year-old Swanson’s on pace for a career season, having hit .265/.330/.468 (104 wRC+) with 17 home runs in 431 plate appearances. Markakis, 35, has posted a similarly effective slash line – .284/.358/.429 (105 wRC+) in 416 PA – with nine HRs.
Part of Markakis’ appeal throughout his career has been his commendable durability. He entered 2019 with six straight campaigns of 155-plus games under his belt, including a full 162-game slate last year, and has come back to appear in all 104 of the Braves’ contests this season. That streak now looks like a sure bet to end.
If the Braves do lose Swanson and Markakis, they could turn to Johan Camargo and-or Charlie Culberson at shortstop. Those two also count among the Braves’ reserve outfield options, as do Matt Joyce and veteran Adam Duvall. A back-to-back 30-home run hitter with the Reds from 2016-17, Duvall’s numbers plummeted during an ’18 campaign divided between Cincinnati and Atlanta. Duvall has spent all of this season at the Triple-A level as a result, but he’s likely to come up to help fill Markakis’ void, David O’Brien of The Athletic tweets.
Markakis’ forthcoming absence could also enable the Braves to work the demoted Ender Inciarte into the mix more often. Inciarte made it clear Thursday he doesn’t want to be traded, and it now looks especially unlikely in light of Markakis’ injury.
Sucks to see Nick get hurt, but the braves have options to replace him. Swanson is a big blow because Camargo doesn’t have the range Dansby has and he’s had a rough year with the bat.
I’m not too worried. Albies was originally a SS before the Braves got Dansby, so worst case scenario they can play him there. Could definitely see Camargo’s bat start to heat up if he gets put back into a starting roll
Is Swanson the real deal? This year aside what type of numbers do you think he project’s? I know he was a number 1 pick, but not enough minor league numbers to tell.
Yes, he has made significant strides in plate discipline and he’s hitting the ball harder.
Thanks, good to know. I like the kid. I hope he continues to improve.
Dansby is the real deal.
Honestly, he just needs to keep working with chipper in the offseason year over year to only build on his success. He wants it and he will keep putting the work in. It’s easy to see he’s a gritty old-fashioned baseball player.
I think what Swanson has been this year is about what he’ll be going forward. He’s been healthy and hasn’t yet entered his prime.
With that thinking, Is Albies the real deal?
Albies still has a ways to go with his plate discipline, but yes, I think he’s the “real deal”. I hope he doesn’t get homer happy.
Cause hes a everyday player not a bench guy
Sogard and Stroman to ATL
Sogard. Lol. No thanks.
What’s so funny? He’s playing very good this year. That would be a really nice addition
Who does Detroit get for Boyd,Greene and Castellanos? Fills all Atlanta’s needs now do to injuries. And don’t list a bunch of pitchers you don’t want because Detroit doesn’t want them either.
Boyd and Greene for Wright and Waters as headliners with some side pieces? Doubt ATL would give up 2 of Anderson, Pache, and Waters for Boyd. Also don’t think Nick C is necessarily wanted by ATL with his poor defensive flexibility with Culberson in the mix.
How about Pache,Muller and Shewmake?
I would be OK with that as a Braves fan. I personally think Boyd is the best value on the market (even ahead of Thor for what would be dealt ROI-wise)
There is not one single intelligently run NL organization that wants Nick C. They all need fielders and he is just flat out not one. I wouldn’t give up Waters or Pache for anyone on the Detroit roster. For Greene and Boyd I would be willing to give up any minor leaguers not named Pache, Waters, Anderson or soon to be minor leaguer Langoliers. Boyd has incredible potential but hasn’t proved enough to take the place of guys like that. No prospects are “can’t miss” but those guys are about as close as it gets. Yes… I know every team in MLB has 3 or 4 guys that they all think are untouchable or “can’t miss” but only the Padres have a farm system as deep and talented as the Braves. Our top 4 guys actually fit that description. The 4th best prospect on the Braves is better than the best prospect on most teams.
How bout take a nap earlier in the day so you don’t spit jibberish this late at night
I really don’t see Atlanta moving Pache or Waters. Pache will be ready for MLB in 2020.
Atlanta’s future outfield is pretty set w/ Acuna in LF, Pache in Center and Waters in RF, unless they have unmentioned plans to go make a run at Mookie.
@logicalbrave
That is a horrible trade idea! The Braves should stay as far away from Boyd as possible. He had 2 solid months and has regressed back to what he has shown in the past.
The Braves should not include Pache, Waters, Anderson, or Contreras for any group of players on the Tigers roster! I wouldn’t even give up a top 15 from out prospects for Boyd straight up. He doesn’t improve the rotation at all!
LOL
Absolutely not. We don’t even need them. Boyd is not worth too prospects. You can keep him. He’s not the game changer we need. He’s an okay pitcher with control. Which is nice and all, but it’s not what we need. We need a game changer. And Greene has regression written all over him. I’d much rather trade with a different team
*top
You are correct……Pache, Waters, Anderson, and Wright are not going anywhere or going to be traded this deadline. I can not think of a single available player the Braves would consider for these 4.
LOgicaL
You talkin’ to me?
What hell? And you call yoursrlf a Braves fan? For starters Pache isn’t going anywhere, especially since they expect him to be in the majors next year. And no way the Braves trade for Nick with his pathetic fielding numbers. He is best suited for the A.L. where he can DH. Someone like T.B. that needs a big bat.
U talking to me!? Cuz I’m sure as hell not talking to you. Welcome back Duvall, been waiting and preaching for u to get your chance whether here or somewhere else for far too long on these boards buddy! You earned it and deserved it.
No thank you
Boyd is not a TOR arm I wouldn’t even want to see Thor for that package
To all of the above against Boyd. Who knows more you $#%$# or Atlanta great John Smoltz who on Mlb said “Boyd is the best pitcher available, give Detroit what ever they what”
Is that opinion universally true among every ex-pitcher turned analyst? Probably not.
@Ejoey
How long ago did he say that? Was it a week ago? A month ago?
Boyd has fallen off a cliff the last 2 months! Yes he strikes guys out but he is also getting hit pretty hard giving up a ton of hrs of late. He is NOT an TOR and that is why he will stay in Detroit just like Fulmer did.
Yesterday.
Last 4 games 3.75 era 23 in, 39k
What now John Smoltz is the tell all be all I have heard him and every other mlbnetwork analysts say things I don’t agree with
Boyd does not impress me and his body of work hasn’t been consistent enough for the package Detroit is looking for.
This year only twice gave 5 runs,every time else less than. With run support would have excellent record.
John Smoltz was a great pitcher for the Braves. And that’s where is ends. He’s not a gym and I’m glad he’s not
Little known fact about MLB teams; they don’t make deals based on what does or doesn’t impress armchair quarterbacks.
I’d like to add to jkurk’s metaphysical comment about Smoltz. He’s not a gym, also not a swimming pool nor church nor fire station or any other public assembly.
John Smoltz is however one of the greatest baseball players in history to this point.
MLBTRs comment section is full of experts. Whatever they say must be true!
I completely and categorically disagree with both of you. John Smoltz is a gym. I work myself into a hard sweat inside him every single day.
You need to change your screen name because there is no logic to be found there.
I support this message.
Let us hope not. The Braves DON’T need to make that trade.
Seriously why would any NL team want Castellanos? His defense is horrible. He has very little trade value.
The Braves will most likely call up Duvall to take Markakis’ spot and a pitcher to fill the roster spot of Swanson..
Duvall is a plus defender, as is Inciarte. They have enough in the lineup to weather the storm.
Agreed, the Braves have the depth already in the organization.
Blanco and Demeritte are also reasonable additions to a deeper Sept roster for more fortification. These rumors having Merriman to ATL don’t make sense consideing his prospect price tag and how we already have swiss knives: Camargo/Culberson. Demeritte – former 1st rd pick – has been lights out at AAA, with just as good of numbers as Duvall.
Then done Dole Alexander for John Smoltz and that worked out just fine.
So two of our top prospects for a 4th starter, a bullpen piece and a DH who sucks in the OF? Lol no. I wouldn’t give up one of Wright/waters for that, definitely not both.
They should get no one from the Braves for those 3 because Greene is the only one that really helps them because Castellanos is having a down yr and can’t play defense and Boyd is proving his first 2 months were a fluke. And whoever said Pache or Waters, you’re absolutely clueless. You don’t give up top notch talent for a closer, average at best starting pitcher, and a blah RF with 2 months of control left. Good grief people.
Easy fix bring up Demeritte or Duvall
Before Dansby had his turnaround year everybody wanted to ship him out and play Camargo over there. So now play him. He may not have the range Dansby does but he is far from a liability with the glove.
Still need 2 bullpen arms and a TOR SP.
I like the Camargo idea. He has been shafted this year. I think a 3 way platoon of Culberson, Joyce and Inciarte should get it done to fill in for the Kakis. We were already to deep at outfield so no need to trade for another hitter. If Duvall can transfer his triple A power to the bigs then let him bring it too. In wonder if Markakis is injured enough to make the Braves second guess picking up his $4 million option next year? $4 mill is nothing to pay for a guy like him.
The problem is, once Duvall is up, he can’t be sent back down. He’s out of options after this one. So, he’d need to stick around or be released.
If they optioned him earlier this season to AAA, they can option him as much as they want this season. Options work for the entire season in which a player is optioned. He can’t be optioned in 2020 though.
Then its up to Adam Duvall to be a MLBer again. The Braves will find a way to keep him if he is However, if he is not he is out of options and it may be time to part ways. He has learned all he can at lower levels.
The roster expands in 30 days and from the sound of things, NM is going to miss at least that long with the broken wrist
Caleb Smith, Sergio Romo, Miguel Rojas, Jarlin Garcia for Waters and Anderson.
Why would the braves do that?
No.
Braves have Inciarte and Culberson to fill the outfield. Swanson likely won’t miss any major time.
They could use an OF upgrade (which was true heading in to this season) but don’t count on them worrying about either too much to alter trade plans.
Duvall, ender, and Joyce are more than enough to fill Kakes’ void, they just have to do the little things at the plate and make contact in key situations. (It’s time to give Duvall his shot as starter and see if he can transfer his success and confidence from the minors.) Talk about perfect timing for having both Duvall and ender so we can keep the good bench.
Camargo and Culberson will be absolutely fine at SS. This is what good teams possess, awesome depth when injuries occur. Feel bad for dansby, snakebitten by one annoying injury every year and hopefully it doesn’t set him back or linger like his wrist last season.
Let’s just win this series today, sweep the gnats, and acuna matata.
Duvall can play the field pretty well and is torching AAA this year. I don’t expect him to convert those numbers to MLB considering his body of work, but if he produced .250/.300/.480 I could live with that.
Damn Freddie missed 7 weeks when he was hit by a pitch in the forearm a couple years ago and it took him a minute to get his power back. I think maybe now a Marte/Vázquez package gets visited. LF is already a bit of a hole in the lineup and now RF as well
I don’t think we can afford a 2nd hole in the lineup for to long of a stretch. If Pirates want to much in return do I dare call up Cincy and ask about Iglesias & Puig ????
He would look great hitting 5th in this lineup with Markakis sliding down a couple spots when he gets back
Prefer Marte/Vázquez though
Anderson, Allard, Jenista, Minter & Duvall
Puig are you nuts? Guy is a moron. Don’t need him rubbing off on Acuna Albies Camargo with his ridiculous acts to get attention.
He also won’t like that no throwback uniforms are sleeveless – his “sun’s out – guns out” day game rituals are one of the few things to look forward to in Cincy with Derek Dietrich. Don’t take that away. Without it you have a sullen Votto mad every time he’s asked why he won’t play for Toronto.
Yeah you are right bout that
Puig is dumb idea
Where would MORON/IDIOT Puig play? Let’s hope AA isn’t that stupid to trade for Puig.
Gez what if Duvall comes up hitting like he was in AAA… adding even more freaking power to that lineup. Losing Swanson is the one that hurts more in my opinion. He’s having a solid year and I’m not confident his replacement will match his production
it’s a shame to see markakis get hurt, he needs all of the PAs possible to get to 3000 hits
Braves should be talking to Reds about Sonny Gray and Raisel Iglesias to help rotation and bullpen. Puig probably available as well to replace Nick. Could get all three for Kyle Wright and Alex Minter.
Puig is a rental…but Gray and Iglesias are both signed to decent contracts for a couple of years. You could probably be in the ballpark with Wright and.Minter for Puig/Iglesias, but not close for all three.
Yeah, the Braves have been trying to get Sonny for years now, so to get him and Iglesias would be cool. Don’t want Puig…give Duvall a few days to see if he can cut it, and if he can’t then we can find a replacement, because it sounds like Kakes is going to miss significant time.
We won’t know the severity of injury for a day or so but it looks like Nick’s consecutive game streak, longest in MLB, is in jeopardy. Nick will be a loss because he hits RH pitching well and is a veteran presence. It might have made sense to platoon Nick in RF but losing him altogether is a loss. Braves might call up Duvall and platoon him with Joyce. Duvall is hammering LH pitching at Gwinnett.
Losing Swanson will also hurt but I think Camargo is playing defense at SS better than I’ve seen from him before. Hopefully hitting will improve with more playing time. Camargo did pick up on the hitting side latter part of last year.
Bottom line is the injuries are not good for Braves, but the in-house replacements should lessen the blow.
Markakis going down, Swanson to IL, Riley struggling, Inciarte back and still not hitting, plus now the bench will be thinned out…we may actually need a bat at trade dead line, never would thought that a few weeks ago
Good thing we have 4 games to see what Duvall and Camargo can provide!
Camargo was great playing everyday last year. Duvall is a gold glove OF with pop!
The Braves will miss Markakis’ leadership yes but I think Donaldson and McCann will fill those voids nicely.
Kakes’ leadership isn’t going anywhere, he’s going to be around as a mentor/bench piece/coach for years and years to come for this organization. “Fingers crossed”
Then DFA the new bat when Dansby comes back in August? Lol
Stroman, Giles, Phelps, Galvis and Grichuk to Atlanta
Inciarte, Gausman, Ian Anderson, Kyle Muller, Jaseel De La Cruz and Trey Harris to Toronto.
Replace Anderson with Wright
Who wants Kevin Gausman?
Jethro Tull to the Blue Jay’s? Who says no?
What are ya, thick as a brick?
Not sure if you got the Ian Anderson reference, but if so good on you.
A rebuilding team needing 1 arm for 1 year before making way for a current developing prospect, or a prospect they trade for. Gausman would be nothing more than a 1 year stopgap.
Mighty narrow gap!?
nope
Too late. Mets just got Stroman.
This is why the Braves kept Duvall. They’ll bring him and a relief pitcher up.
Jeremy Walker just called up. I would imagine with a few more decent outings Thomas Burrows could be an option, though I love him coming out of ST 2020. Great pickup from SEA from Florence, AL (shout-out!)
I’d bring up Andrés Blanco from Gwinnett for utility infielder and put Camargo at SS. Blanco is having a decent year and has played literally everywhere under all kinds of conditions so there would be no jitters. At 35 you know he would play his butt off when called on as well as being content to just sit on an MLB bench again. Nothing to lose there!
As for the outfield situation we are over staffed now with Inciarte back and if they want to add some pop they could bring up Duvall who has 29 HRs at Gwinnett and is highly motivated at this point in his career!
No need to do anything dramatic at this point. Save the trade chips for the pitching staff!
Markakis is replaceable, Swanson is replaceable. We’ll need to add some bench help, but we might have some of that down in AAA with Duvall. Might take a flyer on Tony Kemp from Astros to finish the season. Could be had for cash considerations. I believe he plays several spots. Save our tradable assets for bullpen help, and possibly a starter if the price is ok.
Everyone likes Boyd, so good to stay away from a bidding war.
If you have any clue about the Braves system you should immediately put Ian Anderson on the top of the untouchable list, ahead of Pache & Waters. Soroka, Anderson, Fried, Wright. Those are the only pitchers in system with Ace stuff, don’t get rid of those. Got a feeling AA is the type to pull big trades though, so might see farm gutted for a blockbuster.
He was a big trader in his younger days. Hopefully with maturity he has outgrown the desire to make a big splash.
I agree. Anderson is wholly underrated by some people on this site and should be ranked as our best prospect. He also happens to play at the position we need the most. I’m not quite as sold on Wright as some other people are. A lot have him ranked higher than Anderson but I don’t agree. He has looked relatively poor at the MLB level this season and not as good as Anderson in the minors. I would pull the trigger on a deal with Wright as the headliner to try out Thor in a second. Just saw Mets acquires Stroman so maybe Thor really is moving.
Sucks about Markakis. Was hoping to see 3000 Hits Long Term.
Bad break…..
6-8 weeks and what little power he did have won’t be there for the playoffs
Hopefully Duvall can carry his minor league success over to the majors
Greinke in my opinion just became more important
Greinke would be the perfect player to get for the Braves. If the Braves would pay most of his money they could get him without a lot of top prospects.My 2nd. choice would be Minor, Folty for either of them. I think Duvall will hit 15-20 HRs in the next 2 months. He will have something to prove and will be wanting a contract for next year from somebody. Folty not being brought back-up by now tells me something’s not just right. Have the Braves finally gotten tired of his head problems? After this experience, Folty may have seen the light. He should have been sent down or put in the pen year before last.
Maybe The Braves can deal with THE REDS and get Yasial Puig to play rightfield.Could be a good move for both teams.Puig a decent right fielder and his bat would be reinventedbefore his free agent year!
Puig wouldn’t fit in the Braves clubhouse. Too much ego.
Can people start reading previous posts before making their own? If they did they would see that this Puig proposition has been made several times already on this page alone. It recieved negative reactions every time. The Braves don’t need Puig. He has an attitude that wouldn’t fit in well with the Braves young core. He is a free agent at the end of the year. Even with the Markakis injury the Braves are struggling to find playing time for Joyce, Culberson and Riley. Once Dansby is healthy again soon Camargo will get thrown into that mix as well. If Markakis comes back in mid September that would make a 5th outfield capable hitter who is out of options on the Braves roster that will need playing time. Why would any team with 3-5 players unable to get the playing time they need acquire a 2 or 3 month rental of a player with an attitude problem that plays the same position? If people read before they posted they would have figured out that already.
Is it possible Duvall plays his way into a starting OF role next year allowing them to decline Kakes option and use Ender as the 4th OF? Hes been hitting in AAA, wont be expensive and plays pretty good D.
Could see him playing himself into a trade to a team for a couple prospects that will be needed to replenish the farm with after these deadline deals we are gonna make
Won’t get any top prospects but a couple lottery types if he plays good and be able to shed his salary
I see Demerritte coming up and sharing time with Ender next year
The Braves aren’t playing Duvall to showcase him for a trade. He is needed. He will hit 15-20+ HRs in the next few months. The Braves won’t miss a beat. Don’t trade the farm like a lot of fans on these sites want, for players like Puig. The Braves will have a 40 man roster problem, so I don’t think Demeritte will be up..Even to make a trade for anything in the next couple of days, someone from the 40 will have to be included.
Duvall is and has been ready to replace Kakes as a stop gap until pache and waters arrive. Kakes has just been too solid as a fielder, clutch hitter that gives you everything in every AB, and absolute perfect teammate to replace.
I was pleading for AA to give Duvall the reigns and let kakes walks, but kakes made it too easy to be resigned because he absolutely loves it here and took a huge discount to stay, which I greatly respect. Things happen for a reason and Duvall will make the best of this opportunity.