NEW YORK (AP) — Baltimore right fielder Nick Markakis rejoined the Orioles’ starting lineup Monday, six days after his right shoulder was bruised when hit by a pitch from Aaron Loup during the AL East-clinching win over Toronto.

Markakis had missed four consecutive games. Orioles manager Buck Showalter had prepared an alternate lineup with Markakis at designated hitter, just in case he wasn’t able to play the field.

First baseman Steve Pearce was sidelined for the third straight game because of a sore right wrist, and he had a cortisone injection.

“If he responds well Wednesday, he’d probably play Wednesday or Thursday,” Showalter said before the start of a four-game series at the New York Yankees.

Showalter said he plans to use four starting pitchers in the AL division series, which opens Oct. 2. He left the impression Chris Tillman (13-5) will start the opener.

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