Braves’ Markakis among 1B backups

With Sean Rodriguez out for most or all of the season after shoulder surgery, the Braves will look at various potential backups at several positions where Rodriguez would’ve been a preferred option for those roles.

One such position is first base, where Freddie Freeman will play every day or almost every day if he’s healthy. But if he needs a day off or manager Brian Snitker decides that Freeman benefit from a rest, then who?

The leading options are right fielder Nick Markakis — an 11-year veteran with five career starts at first base — and utility man Chase d’Arnaud, who said he hasn’t played first base since he was 12 years old, but is eager to give it a go. The Braves had him take some ground balls and throws at first base Saturday in the team’s first fullsquad workout.

Jace Peterson is another first base option, but the Braves already expect to use him plenty as a backup at other positions, including second base, third base and possibly center field and shortstop.

“We had Chase out there working today, wanting him to familiarize himself with that position,” Snitker said. “A guy like that with good hands, it shouldn’t be a problem. Or Nick did it last week when Freddie had a (day out of the lineup) and did a good job.”

Freeman started 158 of the Braves’ 161 games in 2016, and started all 162 games in 2014 when he led the majors in innings played.