LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.—New Braves right fielder Nick Markakis doesn't plan to be in the lineup when spring training games begin next week and said he's not sure if he'll be ready for opening day.
Markakis had fusion surgery for a herniated disk in his neck on Dec. 17 and said he was cleared to increase his physical activity on Tuesday.
“Opening day is a goal,” Markakis said soon after reporting to Braves camp today. “It’s one of those things you work for and try to get there as far as injuries. It’s not something you want to rush. Neck surgery is pretty serious so you don’t want to rush it. I will have six weeks to do my thing and try to get ready for opening day.”
The Braves signed Markakis to a four-year, $44 million free-agent contract on Dec. 3. Markakis had played all nine of his previous big-league seasons with the Orioles, who selected the Woodstock High and Young Harris College product in the first round of the 2003 draft.
Markakis said that before signing with the Braves he informed the club was likely to have surgery. The Braves added Markakis as a replacement for right fielder Jason Heyward, who was traded to the Cardinals in November.
Markakis said he’s not sure how many spring-training games he needs to play to to be ready for opening day because it depends on his progress.
“I’m not going to try to rush it,” he said. “I’ve got six weeks. I’ve had some injuries in the past and it didn’t take me long to pick it back up and get back into the swing of things. I am going to start at the bottom right now and work my way up.”
