Orioles RF Markakis out for 6 weeks

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Nick Markakis of the Baltimore Orioles wears a soft cast on his thumb after the Orioles defeated the New York Yankees 5-4. Markakis was hit by a pitch during the fifth inning and left the game. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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Posted: 09/08/2012

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis will be out for at least six weeks with a broken left thumb, the result of being hit by a pitch from New York Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia.

Markakis left Saturday night's 5-4 win over the Yankees in the fifth inning immediately after being struck by the pitch.

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The injury will keep him out of the remainder of the regular season and deep into the playoffs -- should Baltimore qualify for its first postseason appearance since 1997.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said, "It breaks my heart personally, and for him. I know how much this time of the season means to him. We'll go forward from there."

Markakis is batting .298 and flourishing since moving to the top of the order.