Nick Markakis injury: Orioles RF could return if team makes deep playoff run

Orioles star Nick Markakis will undergo surgery Tuesday in hopes of returning if the team makes a deep postseason run. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Baltimore Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis will have surgery Tuesday on his broken left thumb, hoping that the procedure will lead to a quick recovery that could get him back to the Orioles lineup if they make a postseason run.

Markakis, who broke his thumb Saturday and is out for the remainder of the regular season, will fly to Sarasota, Fla., on Monday and undergo the procedure on Tuesday.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter told The Baltimore Sun that the surgery makes a Markakis return possible:

Heading into the day, surgery appeared to be a season-ending option. But Orioles manager Buck Showalter said the doctor that performed Markakis' right wrist surgery in June reviewed the X-rays and CT scan on the thumb and believed surgery could give Markakis a chance to speed up the recovery.

Markakis said the procedure -- which he said would involve placing a T-plate in his thumb -- would cut the recovery time by three weeks, allowing him to be ready to return in as soon as four weeks.

"I’m just going to go ahead and get it done and just get it out of the way," Markakis said. "I’d rather not get cut open again, but if it is for the best, I’m going to go ahead and get it done. Hopefully have a speedy recovery.

fifth inning of Saturday's 5-4 win over the Yankees