Markakis leaning toward surgery to repair bulging disc in neck

[TheDirtyBird]

And Orioles nation takes a breathe of relaxation

[Dipper9]

The timing is strange to say the least. Maybe it got worse since the last time they MRI'd it? That's the best defense of Markakis I can come up with.

In any event, the bashing of Angelos that went on yesterday by some was unjustified. I wonder if we'll see any apologies. (not holding my breath).

[MemorialStadKid]

Interesting.

That MRI rumor that Rosenthal threw out there turned out to be a much bigger thing than many originally believed.

I wonder how much this will affect Nick's athleticism in 2015?

MSK

[nattyboh]

How does a bulging disc in the neck affect ones play? is it just a discomfort thing, or is there more to it than that?

[bdub85]

In any event, the bashing of Angelos that went on yesterday by some was unjustified. I wonder if we'll see any apologies. (not holding my breath).

I really doubt it. IMO, the anger should be directed at Markakis. I don't think he's the stand up guy everyone assumes he is. He claimed it wasn't about the money, but he left for 4 mil more when he's been paid like a king here especially considering his production. Now he all of the sudden gets surgery after inking a new 44 mil deal. Why didn't he get this surgery before? I don't fault him for that just don't sit there and bash Angelos and act like Markakis is a saint.

[weams]

Is the ink even dry yet. There is no ink yet, is there?

Yeah. This bombshell was dropped at his announcement ceremony. He was asked the question.

[Palmoripken]

Well then I think we dodged a bullet here. Love Nick and hated to see him go on a sentimental level but I trust our medical exams.

[weams]

Interesting.

That MRI rumor that Rosenthal threw out there turned out to be a much bigger thing than many originally believed.

I wonder how much this will affect Nick's athleticism in 2015?

MSK

It will hopefully bring him back to the picture of health.

[MurphDogg]

If he has a neck problem he should probably not be doing much leaning at all.

[stomperspc]

I never quite understood the ridicule the Orioles took for their medical exams. As if it is a bad thing to want to make sure you are getting the most out of your investment. Clearly in this case, the argument could be made that it wasn't the O's who had "too strict" of medical requirements; it was the Braves whose medical requirements were too lenient. We don't know if Balfour's poor performance last year had to do with healthy, but there could be something there as well. I am not sure why caution in these circumstances is treated as a negative.

[weams]

No wonder Dan was so confident and at ease at that event.

Dan is a very important part of our success.

[Dr. Unk]

[weams]

I got into a tiff with Tony arguing about this late last season. Maybe he's not far off, after all. This certainly doesn't mean Nick's a bad guy, but so far we know the following alleged things:

1. He took possibly just an extra $4 mil to go elsewhere

2. He didn't get his neck taken care of while he was here

3. So far I don't see anything from him or his people thanking the fans of Baltimore like we saw with Cruz. Maybe when he's done hunting, eh?

Tony may misinterpret some things but man, he was on the field when we clinched. He knows these guys.

[weams]

If he has a neck problem he should probably not be doing much leaning at all.

It's a given that he has a neck problem. Where he leans on the surgery is all that is in question. I am sure the surgery will fix everything that has been wrong with him.

[weams]

We don't know if Balfour's poor performance last year had to do with healthy, but there could be something there as well.

We know everyone who looked at that MRI saw abnormalities. Even the guys defending him. They just said he would pitch fine. We know he does not pitch well. I think that's what we know.