Nick Markakis was scratched from Sunday's lineup due to neck spasms. Markakis is just a little achy after sleeping funny. The outfielder was examined to make sure nothing was structurally wrong, and he should be back in action in a day or two.

Nick Markakis said Friday that acid reflux tests did not reveal an ulcer. Acid reflux is nothing new for Markakis, as he also had a test back in 2005. It appears to be a non-issue, though.

Nick Markakis was held out of Wednesday's intrasquad games after being examined for acid reflux. Manny Machado and Zach Braddock had similar exams earlier this week. The Orioles are trying to find out if the acid reflux is related to an ulcer, but it shouldn't have any impact on his ability to play. Markakis is scheduled to leave the team Wednesday to attend a funeral in Baltimore, but he should be back by Friday.

Nick Markakis will leave the team following Wednesday's intrasquad in order to attend a funeral in Baltimore. Markakis will be away from the team for a few days, so he could miss the beginning of the Grapefruit League schedule. However, his brief absence will not have any impact on his readiness for the season.

Nick Markakis (thumb) said on WBAL Radio Thursday that he's "good to go" for spring training. Markakis underwent surgery in September for a fractured left thumb, but he won't be limited at all in spring training. "I'm good to go," he said. "I've had no setbacks. My thumb feels good. Everything couldn't have gone better." Markakis added that he's "got (his) workouts going" and is "just excited to get down (to spring training)." The 29-year-old was limited to just 104 games in 2012 due to a trio of surgeries, but it would be unfair to call him injury-prone, as he played in at least 157 games in each of the previous five seasons.

Nick Markakis (thumb) said he would be playing had the Orioles reached the World Series. Speaking Saturday at a charity event hosted by Buck and Angela Showalter, Markakis, who is coming back from a surgically-repaired left thumb, revealed that he will receive full clearance for all activities on Tuesday. Slated to turn 29 next month, the Orioles outfielder will have a normal offseason and should arrive healthy for spring training.

Nick Markakis had the pins removed from his surgically-repaired left thumb Monday. He'll remain in his splint and won't return at least for another two weeks, meaning the Orioles will have to make it all the way to the World Series to have Markakis available again. The outfielder has been sidelined since early September.

Nick Markakis will have the pins removed from his surgically-repaired left thumb Monday. Markakis will still have to keep his splint on for another week or two. It's possible he could be available at some point this postseason, but likely only if the Orioles make it to the World Series. The outfielder has been sidelined since early September.

Nick Markakis will not have the pins removed from his surgically-repaired thumb for another week. Markakis hoped to have them removed on Monday in Tampa, but he's just not ready yet. He'll need to stay in a splint for a week or two after the pins are removed, so he's unlikely to return to the Orioles this year unless they make a deep run in the playoffs.

Nick Markakis is scheduled to have the screws removed from his surgically-repaired thumb next week. Markakis suffered a fracured left thumb when he was hit by a CC Sabathia pitch in early September and is doubtful to be healed before mid-October. The O's will have to first make the playoffs and then advance through the first round for him to have a chance of returning to action.