SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter told reporters yesterday that Nick Markakis would leave camp after the intrasquad games to attend a funeral in Baltimore, but the right fielder isn't in today's lineups and there's no sign of him in the clubhouse.
I'll check with Showalter later, but Markakis may have already left Sarasota. He's expected back in a few days.
It's also interesting that Nolan Reimold isn't playing today. He's in the clubhouse and continues to be full-go in workouts.
First baseman/outfielder Conor Jackson said his sore lower back is "definitely better," but he's taking off today and receiving more treatment.
"I don't think it's anything too serious," said Jackson, who began experiencing pain in his back yesterday while fielding ground balls.
"It's not the ideal thing to have happen on the fourth day of camp."
Jackson is trying to make the club as a non-roster invitee. Any absence works against him.
"It's frustrating, to say the least," he said. "Obviously, you want to make an impression, and it's hard to make an impression when you're not on the field. Just got to treat it until it gets better and get back out there and play baseball."
Catcher Luis Martinez said his left oblique remains "a little sore, a little tight," but there's been improvement since yesterday. He'll also receive treatment today.
Update: Markakis is still in camp, but underwent an acid reflux test, so he won't be playing in an intrasquad game. The right fielder will be flying to Baltimore later today.
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