Markakis said decision whether he can play today coming after BP

Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis just told reporters he's not sure if he can play today. He'll find out before too long though, after he takes a few swings on the field. "I don't know, we'll find out after BP (batting practice) here. I feel a lot better," he said. "I've been here long enough to know which injuries I can baby and which injuries I need to take care of. This is one that is kind of in between. "But, you know, it gets better day by day. Today it feels great and I'll go out there and swing. If it feels good, I'll go out there and play. If not, take a day and have another day off tomorrow." Markakis said he was fine when he got on the team plane on Saturday morning to fly from Florida to Norfolk for the game with the Tides. But by the end of that flight, his neck had stiffened up and he had a heat pack on it Saturday. Is there more pressure to be out there today because it's the season opener? "It's opening day, but it's a long season. I want to make sure it's right and I'm not going to force any issues," he said. "If it's not ready, it's not ready. I'll take off today, tomorrow and come back (Wednesday) and play. We'll see how BP goes and hopefully I'll be in there." Markakis was swinging a good bat this spring. He hit .356 (16-for-45) with six doubles, a triple, a homer and six RBIs.