Former Auburn High and Auburn University standout Michael Nix is back in professional baseball, pitching with the Newark Bears in the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League.

Nix is 1-0 on the season with a 2.89 ERA for the Bears, who are managed by former Major League great Tim Raines.

Nix has worked 9 1/3 innings this year, giving up three runs on seven hits, while striking out 14 of the 39 batters he’s faced.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound right-hander appeared in 23 games last season for the Bears, finishing with a 4-1 record and a 3.08 ERA. Nix spent eight seasons in the Atlanta Braves system, after being selected in the 11th round in 2005.

Nix peaked at AAA Richmond in 2008. His best season was in 2006 with Single-A Myrtle Beach, where he picked up six wins with a 2.90 ERA, according to the Bears’ website.