Chris Davis on Friday's trade deadline and Markakis' return

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis was asked about the upcoming trade deadline. Like a few Orioles, he has been the subject of what has amounted to just rumors at this point.

Can the approach of Friday's deadline be an uneasy time for a player?

"Sometimes. I think with all the information there is now, it can really weigh on you if you let it. But everyone here is focused on what we have to do on the field. We have too much at stake to worry about guys coming or going," Davis said.

Davis was asked about statements executive vice president Dan Duquette has made that the team will be buyers, not sellers.

"We have so much to focus with on the field that I let those guys handle that," he said. "We have all the confidence in the guys in the clubhouse we have now. We like the guys we have. We want to do well and be in the mix and whoever is in this clubhouse will hopefully help us do that."

Davis was asked to size up the current state of the Orioles after a 4-5 road trip.

"We were able to get two wins with Tampa and that was big after the New York series, which was disappointing. Think the biggest thing for us right now is to continue to take it one day at a time.

"There is a lot of excitement around the team right now with the trade deadline. Everything that is being talked about it. I think this division will come down to the wire like it always does."

Davis said O's players have kept in touch with Nick Markakis who returns to Baltimore tonight. He said they saw him late in spring training and that takes away some of the awkwardness of seeing him play for the Braves tonight.

"Not many guys play their whole career in one uniform anymore, unfortunately. I know he's having a great year and look forward to seeing him. I talk to him here and there. Nicky is not really a guy that likes to text all the time. Look forward to seeing him tonight," Davis said.