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Report: Nick Markakis 'leaning towards' undergoing neck surgery

New Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis is reportedly "leaning towards" undergoing neck surgery.
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New Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis is "leaning towards" undergoing neck surgery, reports Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. 

Rock Kubatko of MASN Sports reports Markakis is "likely" to have the surgery and heard it is "probably going to happen in two weeks."

The surgery, which would be to repair a herniated disc in his cervical spine, carries up to 12 weeks of recovery time, according to Rosenthal.

Markakis and the Braves recently agreed to a four-year, $44 million contract. The outfielder spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Baltimore Orioles

CORCORAN: Braves hope Nick Markakis can replace Jason Heyward

Kubatko reports that because of Markakis' condition, the Orioles were hesitant to offer the 31-year-old a guaranteed fourth year. The Braves reportedly conducted an independent evaluation of the outfielder and felt comfortable offering their deal. 

In 155 games this year, Markakis hit .276 with 14 home runs, 50 RBI and a .342 on-base percentage. Markakis has a career .290 average and .358 on-base percentage with 141 home runs and 658 RBI. 

- Josh Sanchez