Atlanta Braves Morning Chop
Oct 14, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis dives back to first base safely on a fielder
Markakis in Camp, but Going Slow
Several quotes this morning about the status of Nick Markakis, who had neck fusion surgery back in December… he’s now roughly eight weeks removed from that event.
Markakis will definitely not play during the early portion of the Spring Training schedule
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) February 25, 2015
#Braves Markakis was only cleared this week to run and work out extensively, at 8-week mark after neck surgery
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) February 25, 2015
Nick Markakis saw the doctors yesterday and was cleared for baseball activities. Won't have any restrictions but will ease back in. #Braves
— Kevin McAlpin (@KevinMcAlpin) February 25, 2015
#Braves Markakis hopes to be ready by opening day, but not a certainty
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) February 25, 2015
Markakis says he hopes to be ready for Opening Day, but he won't rush himself to realize that goal.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) February 25, 2015
Reading all of this together from the multiple sources, I’m guessing that Markakis will work as much as he’s comfortable with in relatively controlled situations (i.e., not in a game situation), probably with limited hitting work for a while. If he’s able to get into some games by mid-March, then perhaps he’s good for Opening Day. If later, then we’ll have to see.
As a reminder, both he and the Braves were well aware of his medical needs before he signed – but this is a long-term deal (4 years), not a matter over a mere week or two.