Nick Markakis found his swing Friday, going 2-for-3 with a two-run homer as the Orioled edged the Red Sox 6-5. Markakis had been 2-for-11 since returning to the lineup after abdominal surgery. Still the Orioles' No. 3 hitter despite his struggles the last couple of years, he has plenty of fantasy upside and is being undervalued in mixed leagues.

Nick Markakis (abdominal surgery) is scheduled to make his first start in right field on March 20. Markakis, who underwent abdominal surgery in January, is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut on Wednesday as the O's designated hitter. Barring any setbacks, he should have plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day.

Nick Markakis (abdominal surgery) is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League as the Orioles' designated hitter next Wednesday. Excellent news. Markakis was aiming to play in the final 10-12 exhibition games, so he's actually ahead of schedule in his rehab from January abdominal surgery. Barring any setbacks, he shouldn't have any trouble getting enough at-bats to be ready for Opening Day.

Nick Markakis (abdominal surgery) ran sprints Wednesday and is feeling great. Markakis is being brought along slowly following January abdominal surgery, but he hopes to play in the final 10-12 exhibition games in preparation for the new season. The 28-year-old batted .284/.351/.406 with 15 homers, 73 RBI, 12 stolen bases last season and should be considered a top-25 outfielder in mixed fantasy leagues.

Nick Markakis (abdominal surgery) continues to progress on schedule and still plans on being ready for Opening Day. "I'm getting there," Markakis said. "I just have to take it slow. I'm still going in that positive direction." Markakis said he's doing ''nearly all baseball activities'' and is hoping to play in the final 10 to 12 games of the exhibition schedule leading up to the regular season on April 6.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Tuesday that Nick Markakis (abdominal surgery) likely won't make his Grapefruit League debut until the end of the first week of the exhibition schedule at the earliest. "I wouldn't look for him much before the 10th [of March]," said Showalter. "It could be the 15th. We just don't want to have any setbacks." Markakis is already taking batting practice and participating in outfield drills, but the O's aren't about to rush him into game action. The 28-year-old outfielder has previously estimated that he'll only need a few games to be ready for Opening Day, so he's still very much on schedule.

Nick Markakis (abdominal surgery) said that while he's a little ahead of schedule in recovery, it will still be a while before he's going at things 100 percent. Markakis took batting practice Friday for the first time since undergoing abdominal surgery last month. Swinging a bat isn't the problem, though, as going side to side in the outfield still gives him issues. Barring a setback, he's expected to be ready for the start of the season, but he's obviously not out of the woods yet. Markakis estimated that he'd need only 4-5 games' worth of at-bats to be ready.

Nick Markakis took batting practice Friday for the first time since undergoing abdominal surgery last month. Markakis reportedly looked good during the session. The 28-year-old underwent surgery to repair a torn rectus abdominus muscle last month but is expected to be ready for Opening Day. Barring a setback, he should be drafted where you would normally select him.

Nick Markakis expects to reading for opening day, after undergoing "significant" surgery to repair a torn rectus abdominus muscle earlier this month. "I'm feeling good," Markakis said. "It's a sensitive area where I got cut open and as far as pain-wise, I don't have any pain. It's just uncomfortable. It's not being able to do certain things I want to do. It seems like a long recovery, but I know it's going to be over before I know it and then we'll be rolling.'' Markakis added that he's doing a lot of pool activity to strengthen his core and that he started to do some light jogging this week. Baseball activities can begin as early as five weeks after the procedure.

Nick Markakis underwent "significant" surgery Thursday to repair a torn rectus abdominus muscle but it hopeful of being ready for Opening Day. Markakis thought he was nearly recovered a month ago, but scar tissue was preventing the injury from healing completely. He won't be able to do anything besides walk for the next three weeks and hopes to start lifting some weights at that point. Baseball activities can begin as early as five weeks after the procedure. It's worth noting that the Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman had a similar surgery, missed six weeks and then still wasn't 100 percent after returning. So, while the O's are hopeful Markakis will be ready for the opener, it would seem to be in doubt at this point.