Atlanta Braves outfielder Otis Nixon was given permission to leave the club after his brother's wife collapsed at her North Carolina home Saturday.
Sheryl Nixon, wife of former major leaguer Donell Nixon, was found slumped over in her kitchen in Evergreen, N.C., and taken to the New Hanover Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C., for tests, a family member said.Mrs. Nixon was listed in stable condition, a hospital spokesperson said.
The Braves hosted the Cincinnati Reds in a Saturday night game.
Otis Nixon said he asked to be at his sister-in-law's side because his brother, a player-coach with Charlotte of the International League, was in Rochester, N.Y., and couldn't get there immediately.
Otis Nixon has been the subject of recent trade rumors after the Braves signed Deion Sanders to a $10.75 million, three-year contract and made him their starting center fielder, replacing Nixon.