masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgNick Markakis is leading off tonight for the Braves in his return to Camden Yards.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter expects Markakis to receive a warm ovation from fans when he’s introduced.
“He’ll be received very well. We’ve got really intelligent fans and they know the contributions Nick made not only to the organization, but to the city on and off the field,” Showalter said. “He and his wife and family are very ingrained.
“We all know he’s going to get about nine hits the next three…

Nick Markakis is leading off tonight for the Braves in his return to Camden Yards.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter expects Markakis to receive a warm ovation from fans when he’s introduced.

“He’ll be received very well. We’ve got really intelligent fans and they know the contributions Nick made not only to the organization, but to the city on and off the field,” Showalter said. “He and his wife and family are very ingrained.

“We all know he’s going to get about nine hits the next three days. I bet he’ll know how to play the right field wall. And I’m sure he’ll be very, unlike him, talkative in the advance meeting. Of course they’ve got Jimmy (Johnson) over there and they’ve got (Ryan) Lavarnway, so we’ve got no chance, right?

Nick Markakis braves.png“The guy is very easy to get close to and respect. The consistency and the way he grinds. They know what they’re getting every day. He’s a good baseball player, a good father, a good husband. He’s solid.

“They’ve got a couple things planned.”

Steve Pearce isn’t expected to come off the disabled list when his 15 days are up. He’s sidelined with a strained left oblique and hasn’t started baseball activities.

Pearce will stay in Baltimore for at least the next two or three days.

“There’s some things that he was feeling that he’s not feeling well, so it’s good to think that might be progressing,” Showalter said.

Triple-A Norfolk catcher Steve Clevenger was hit on the right hand by a foul tip, but X-rays were negative. He’s expected to miss only a few games.

Showalter thought about using Caleb Joseph as his designated hitter tonight, but Matt Wieters was bothered by back stiffness on Saturday and it would be risky to have both catchers in the lineup.

For the Braves
Nick Markakis RF
Cameron Maybin CF
Freddie Freeman 1B
A.J. Pierzynski DH
Adonis Garcia 3B
Jace Peterson 2B
Andrelton Simmons SS
Ryan Lavarnway C
Eury Perez LF

Alex Wood LHP