Adams, Albies placed on IL; Markakis active

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves are facing lineup changes after placing second baseman Ozzie Albies and designated hitter Matt Adams on the 10-day injured list.

In another move on Wednesday, outfielder Nick Markakis was reinstated from the restricted list. Markakis announced on July 29 that he was returning to the team, three weeks after opting out due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

Albies is batting only .159 after he was held without a hit in Tuesday night’s 10-1 win over Toronto. He is in a 2-for-21 slump as he tried to play with a bruised right wrist. The injury led the switch-hitter to bat left-handed against left-hander Anthony Kay in the seventh inning.

Adams has been the team’s primary designated hitter and has made two starts at first base. He hit a second-inning homer on Tuesday night before leaving the game with a strained left hamstring.

Rome native Charlie Culberson was to make his first start at second base since 2018 in Wednesday night’s game against Toronto.

BRAVES,

Manager Brian Snitker’s other options at second base include Johan Camargo, who replaced Adams as the designated hitter against the Blue Jays, and Adeiny Hechavarria.

Camargo was set to start at third base and Austin Riley his first start of the season at first base with Freddie Freeman out of the lineup. Riley started three games at first base in 2019.

Riley said it’s important to avoid a letdown with the new-look lineup.

“When you’ve got a 60game season, every game counts that much more,”

AP-John Amis Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies throws during the sixth inning of a baseball game last Thursday in Atlanta.

AP-Chris O’Meara The Braves’ Matt Adams celebrates with Freddie Freeman and Ozzie Albies after hitting a three-run home run against the Rays on July 27. Adams and Albies were both placed on the injured list Wednesday — Adams with a strained hamstring and Albies with a bruised wrist.