masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgFORT MYERS, Fla. – The Orioles have scheduled an MRI on Monday for right fielder Nick Markakis to determine the cause of his neck stiffness.

Markakis didn’t show much improvement today – he wakes up each morning with the same discomfort – and the Orioles have arranged an examination.

“Just to be on the safe side,” said manager Buck Showalter.

Markakis hasn’t played since March 1, his fourth game of Grapefruit League season. He was scratched from the March 3 lineup.

“Richie (Bancells)…FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Orioles have scheduled an MRI on Monday for right fielder Nick Markakis to determine the cause of his neck stiffness.

Markakis didn’t show much improvement today – he wakes up each morning with the same discomfort – and the Orioles have arranged an examination.

“Just to be on the safe side,” said manager Buck Showalter.

Markakis hasn’t played since March 1, his fourth game of Grapefruit League season. He was scratched from the March 3 lineup.

“Richie (Bancells) talked to Dr. (John) Wilckens about it,” Showalter said. “I’m not going to downplay it. We’ll see. When you get something that has kind of cropped up twice, information is a good thing. Until you get all the information … so we’ll see.

“I haven’t been told anything to make me think there’s a sense of urgency with that. I asked Nick about it and he goes, ‘Whatever.’ We’ll see.

“It wasn’t much improved today, though. About the same as yesterday.”

Markakis underwent three surgeries in 2012 – on his abdomen in January, his right wrist to remove the hamate bone in June and his broken left thumb in September.