Markakis could face live pitching this week
JUPITER, Fla. – A day after taking his first rounds of on-field batting practice, rehabbing Braves right fielder Nick Markakis was back doing more of the same Saturday before a split-squad game at Braves camp in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Markakis is recovering from December neck surgery for a herniated disk and still aiming to be ready for the April 6 opener at Miami.
“That’s a good sign,” that he took batting practice again Saturday, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “I can’t wait for tomorrow, see what tomorrow brings, as far as what do we want to do when we get there.”
Gonzalez was with the Braves’ other split squad in Jupiter, Fla., for a Saturday game against the Cardinals, after facing the Marlins in a Friday night game at the stadium shared by the Marlins and Cardinals. He looked forward to talking to Markakis about how he felt during coach-pitch batting practice the past two days and get his thoughts on the next step toward returning — facing live pitching.
“He’s cleared now, I think to do whatever,” Gonzalez said. “Now we’ve got to ramp him up the right way to get him in games. I don’t know when. He might come in tomorrow and say, ‘Can I get a couple of at-bats? Can I go get a couple of at-bats in a minor league game?’ I don’t know. We’ll know more (Sunday) morning.”
The Braves have a home game Sunday against the Tigers at Lake Buena Vista.
