It’s another frustrating day for Orioles fans.  Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun reported on Friday that O’s right fielder Nick Markakis underwent surgery on his abdomen for an injury he suffered at the end of the 2011 season.

Offseason surgeries are always concerning, especially for guys making $11 million a year.  I’m scratching my head trying to figure out who’s to blame for letting this one slip by for so long.  The training staff?  Markakis?  Either way it’s another blunder for a team that seems to be set up for another disappointing season.

Just how serious was the injury?  Markakis told Connolly that Dr. William Meyers, who performed the surgery” called it a “very severe injury” and “didn’t know the extent until he got in there and cleaned it up.”

Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman had a similar surgery performed by Meyers last season and took six weeks to recover.  Connolly points out that Zimmerman was not 100 percent upon his return.

Markakis hasn’t been able to train this offseason with the injury.  He said he’s three weeks away from lifting, four or five weeks away from any baseball activity and is hopeful to play on Opening Day against the Twins in April.

I’m glad Markakis is optimistic.  Hopefully it’ll help the fans who have got to be wondering how this thing slipped by the Orioles.