Nick Markakis’ Braves return means Cristian Pache gets sent back down

Nick Markakis returns to the Atlanta Braves, but Cristian Pache is sent down.

With Nick Markakis returning to the Atlanta Braves, the cost was Crisitan Pache.

According to the team’s official Twitter account, “The Braves today reinstated OF Nick Markakis from the injured list and optioned OF Cristian Pache to the club’s alternate training site at Gwinnett.” While Markakis’ return from the IL due to potentially being exposed to COVID-19 is a great thing, it is a shame Atlanta’s top prospect has to return to the alternate training site.

Did the Atlanta Braves make the right call here with this IL transaction?

No, this wasn’t the Braves’ first big series of roster moves on Tuesday. They made a pair earlier in the day by bringing back outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. of the IL, as well as promoting promising right-hander Ian Anderson. The corresponding moves were sending down right-hander Touki Toussaint and backup backstop Alex Jackson. Obviously, Braves Country was thrilled about this.

As for the Markakis call-up, it is bittersweet. While Markakis’ second return to the Braves this season is welcomed because of his versatility, hustle, professionalism and clutch gene, maybe Atlanta sent the wrong player down instead of Pache? Though the only reason Pache was called up was because Markakis temporarily went on IL, why not Matt Adams or Ender Inciarte?

Adams at least provides a great deal of power from the left side of the plate and can play first base to spell Freddie Freeman. While Inciarte has a terrific glove in centerfield, he’s struggled at the plate this season and routinely hits in the nine-hole. There may be contractual reasons why it was Pache who went down to AAA Gwinnett, but he only just recently got to The Show.

Atlanta is fortunate in that the Braves have a ton of depth in their lineup. Not many teams would be able to offset the number of injuries they’ve had thus far this season. While the starting rotation has been largely a nightmare outside of Max Fried, it has been the bats, the defense and the bullpen that have the Braves leading the National League East with a 16-12 record.

Though Markakis takes his spot, it’s only a matter of time before Pache gets called up again.