Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis is "pretty optimistic" he'll be ready for opening day despite suffering a herniated disc in his neck, Roch Kubatko of MASN reported Wednesday.
Markakis, 28, has been out of spring training action since March 3. If he is not ready to go for opening day, Markakis believes he won't miss more than the first week of the season.
Markakis hit .298/.363/.471 (126 OPS+) in 104 games for Baltimore last season. He has been the club's opening day outfielder for the past seven seasons, the entirety of his big league career. Markakis owns a lifetime .295/.365/.455 (118 OPS+) batting line.
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