Nick Markakis is almost completely recovered from his abdominal bruise but will visit a specialist to make sure he's OK. Markakis dealt with a bone bruise in his lower abdomen for the final few weeks of the season but appears to be doing fine now. He should be at 100 percent for spring training. The 28-year-old batted .284/.351/.406 with 15 homers and 12 steals over 641 at-bats for the Orioles in 2011.

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles did not offer Dan Duquette their general manager job during Saturday's second meeting. Connolly adds, though, that "there is still the sense they will." Perhaps the O's will decide to go ahead and interview Yankees scouting director Damon Oppenheimer, but all signs are still pointing to Duquette getting the job. Duquette is a former GM of the Expos and Red Sox but hasn't been involved in MLB since 2002.

Tim Kurkjian of ESPN.com reports that the Orioles are close to a deal with Dan Duquette that will make the team's new general manager. He was, at best, the team's third choice for the position, but, hey, at least they found someone willing to take the gig. Duquette does have a wealth of baseball experience, having spent over 25 years in Major League Baseball, but he hasn't been associated with MLB since he was fired by the Red Sox back in 2002. His main task will be to rebuild a pitching staff that finished dead last in the league with a 4.89 ERA. Well, that and trying to coexist with micromanaging owner Peter Angelos.

According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, Red Sox vice president of player personnel and pro scouting Allard Baird has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Orioles' general manager job. The latest blow in a disappointing search for the Orioles. Baird was actually intrigued by the idea of joining forces with Buck Showalter in Baltimore, but he didn't want to leave new Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington. As for the Orioles, they interviewed longtime baseball executive Dan Duquette on Friday and have received permission from the Yankees to interview scouting director Damon Oppenheimer. Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock and O's minor league director John Stockstill are also considered candidates.

Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports that the Orioles have asked for and received permission to interview Red Sox vice president of player personnel and pro scouting Allard Baird for their vacant general manager position. According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, the O's have also requested and received permission to interview Yankees vice president and director of amateur scouting Damon Oppenheimer. Baird flamed out as a GM with the Royals but is a well respected front office type, while Oppenheimer is a gifted talent evaluator and is probably ready for a shot at his first GM job. The O's are also expected to interview Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock and Twins vice president Mike Radcliff.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Orioles will interview Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock for their general manager vacancy. The O's are back to the drawing board in their search after Jerry Dipoto took the GM job with the Angels and Tony LaCava elected to stay with the Blue Jays. Proefrock was previously the Orioles' director of baseball administration from 2006 to 2008. One possible advantage is that he still calls Maryland home. According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles have also asked permission to interview Twins vice president Mike Radcliff.

Nick Markakis dealt with a bone bruise in his lower abdomen for the final few weeks of the season and said Wednesday morning that he is still only at about "75 percent." Markakis, who was his first career Gold Glove on Tuesday night, suffered the injury during a trip to Toronto in the second week of September. "I just felt my belt buckle go into my pelvic bone," said Markakis. "And it knocked me up pretty good just repeatedly diving into it during the season." Fortunately Markakis has plenty of time to rest before spring training, so it shouldn't be a long-term concern.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, Blue Jays assistant general manager Tony LaCava turned down an offer to be the Orioles' next general manager. In an interesting twist, LaCava plans to stay in his current position with Toronto. We heard earlier today that the Orioles weren't settled on a candidate and may conduct more interviews, so perhaps they were already aware of his change of heart. The O's have already interviewed Dodgers assistant general manager De Jon Watson and John Stockstill, an internal candidate, but there's a chance they may speak with Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine now that they are essentially back to the drawing board.

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun hears that the Orioles will not be contacting Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine about their vacant general manager job. Blue Jays assistant GM Tony LaCava was back in Baltimore on Monday to meet with owner Peter Angelos, so he has to be considered the favorite for the job. The Orioles have also interviewed Dodgers assistant general manager De Jon Watson and internal candidate John Stockstill.

With Jerry Dipoto reportedly off the board, Blue Jays VP Tony LaCava is now considered the favorite for Baltimore's vacancy at general manager. Dipoto is expected to be hired as the general manager of the Angels at the conclusion of the World Series, leaving LaCava, De Jon Watson and John Stockstill (who interviewed for the position Friday), as remaining options. While LaCava remains the favorite, the committee could still meet with at least one more candidate before making a decision. The Sun's Dan Connolly speculates that one possibility would be Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine, a Northern Virginia native who grew up as an Orioles fan.