LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis certainly wanted to stay in Baltimore, where he played his entire career, but said his neck injury ended his stay.The Orioles acknowledged his impending neck surgery was a factor, but so was the length of the contract, with Markakis receiving a four-year, $44 million deal from the Braves."Don't believe a word they say," Markakis told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday. "It was all because of my neck. They can say what they want to make them look good. It's all B.S.'' 
An MRI on Markakis' neck revealed a bulging disc, and he underwent surgery to repair it Dec. 17, after signing with the Braves."But, things work out the way they do for a reason, right?",'' Markakis said.
At the time, the Orioles did not explicitly state that health concerns were the reason they did not re-sign Markakis. However, general manager Dan Duquette acknowledged to USA TODAY Sports that his neck condition was a factor.Markakis played with the condition for the past two seasons."We were concerned about the disc repair," Duquette said.Markakis is a career .290 hitter with a .358 on-base percentage, and was a two-time Gold Glove winner in right field. He said Wednesday there's a chance he'll be ready to play Opening Day.Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports
An MRI on Markakis' neck revealed a bulging disc, and he underwent surgery to repair it Dec. 17, after signing with the Braves."But, things work out the way they do for a reason, right?",'' Markakis said.
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