Markakis retires after 15 years with Braves, Orioles

ATLANTA » After a 15-year career that came up just short of the World Series, Nick Markakis has retired.

Markakis spent his first nine years with the Orioles before moving to his hometown Braves for his final six seasons. The 37-year-old outfielder helped the Braves through a difficult rebuilding process that paid off with three straight NL East titles.

A free agent after last season, Markakis told The Athletic in a story published Friday that he was done playing after accumulating 2,388 hits, earning his lone All-Star selection in 2018 and closing out his career in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series.

Markakis twice batted .300 and had a pair of 100-RBI season with the Orioles. He had double-figure homers every year in Baltimore, including a career-best 23 in 2007.

Cahill, Pirates finalize deal

BRADENTON, FLA. » Right-hander Trevor Cahill and the Pittsburgh Pirates have finalized a $1.5 million, oneyear contract, a deal that allows him to earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses for innings.

Cahil, 33,l went 1-2 with a 3.24 ERA last season while pitching for the San Francisco Giants. Cahill began the season in the starting rotation but moved to the bullpen in mid-September.

2 players test positive

NEW YORK » Two tests were positive for

COVID-19, both among players, during

14,704 samples collected in the past week under Major League Baseball’s monitoring program. That comes to a positive rate of 0.01%,

Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto had tested positive, the Reds said Wednesday.