The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Markakis joins other vets in lineup against Detroit
Inciarte, Freeman, Duvall also receive playing time in loss.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. — Nick Markakis played in his first game of spring Thursday, hitting fifth as the designated hitter. The Braves had planned to play him late this week or early next.
Markakis singled in his first at-bat and finished 1 for 2 in a 7-6 Graprefruit League loss to the Tigers.
Joining Markakis were veterans Ender Inciarte, Freddie Freeman and Tyler Flowers. Ozzie Albies, Charlie Culberson and Adam Duvall also were in the lineup.
Markakis, who re-signed with the Braves in January, is coming off the best year of his career. He hit .297/.366/.440 with 14 homers and 93 RBIs while playing in all 162 games. He made his first All-Star appearance and concluded the season with Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards.
After hitting cleanup through last season, Markakis could have a new spot in the order. If the Braves opt for Inciarte at leadoff and Ronald Acuna in the 4-spot, Markakis would find a home at fifth.
If the Braves keep Acuna at leadoff, conventional wisdom puts Markakis back at cleanup, hitting behind Josh Donaldson and Freddie Freeman.
Rough day for Toussaint: Touki Toussaint is the clear front-runner in the Braves’ rotation-spot derby, but Thursday won’t go on his highlight reel.
In his second start of spring, Toussaint struggled out of the gate, allowing five runs on four hits to the Tigers. He left with a five-run deficit after one inning.
“It happens. It’s baseball,” Toussaint said. “I threw everything I wanted for strikes. I hit a guy with a breaking ball, walked one, but I felt good . ... I’m trying to get over that (first-inning) hump. Today was just one of those days they got me early.”
Toussaint hit the leadoff batter, allowed back-toback singles, and walked another while a Tyler Flowers passed ball plated the first Detroit run.
Then came former Braves prospect Dustin Peterson, who took Toussaint deep to left for a three-run homer. Toussaint was trying to attack Peterson inside, but left the ball over the plate.
“When he walked up, he tipped his cap,” Toussaint said of his former minorleague teammate. “He got me.”
After three consecutive outs, Toussaint completed the inning in 31 pitches. His velocity was slightly down, but Toussaint chalked that up to it being his first fifthday start early in spring.