Chipper Jones has strained right oblique; could miss 2-3 days

by Scott Coleman on Apr 8, 2010 11:22 PM EDT

ATLANTA - APRIL 08: Let's all hope this injury won't be one that'll bother Chipper throughout the season. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Chipper Jones left Thursday's game with a strained right oblique, according to a David O'Brien tweet. Chipper initially injured his oblique in batting practice, but tried to play through the injury. The pain worsened throughout the game and eventually forced Chipper to leave the game after running the bases in the 4th inning.

If you can remember back to the World Baseball Classic back in 2009, Chipper actually injured his oblique after an awkward swing. He pulled himself out of the competition shortly after.

What does this mean for the upcoming weekend? We'll probably see Martin Prado at 3B and then Omar Infante at 2B. Another possibility is to simply insert Infante at 3B. There's also a chance that Troy Glaus could move over to 3B and allow Eric Hinske to man 1B, but Glaus hasn't taken any groundballs at 3rd since 2008.

What does this mean for the rest of the season? We need to make sure this isn't an injury that will continue to bother Chipper for weeks at a time. It doesn't make sense for us to rush him back into action during the first few weeks of April if it's going to cost him valuable playing time later in the season. An oblique injury can really linger if you don't give it proper time to rest.

Get better Chip. We're going to need you.

The Braves face the Giants tomorrow afternoon at 4:35EST.

Tweet Comment 22 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I love this dude, and I always will…

but man is he a brittle S.O.B.

by get swoll yunel on Apr 8, 2010 11:26 PM EDT reply actions

Almost 38

And he’s played in 1700+ games, mostly at a physically-demanding position. I’d be more inclined to call him a tough S.O.B.

But when you’re on the wrong side of 35, you’re gonna need some bench time. Even so, I’ll bet he sees some action in SF.

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Apr 8, 2010 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Brittle and tough

are not mutually exclusive. In fact, in some ways, “tough” tends to lead to “brittle”. I think you’re right that we see him in SF, but I think it’ll probably just be a PH appearance or two.

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on Apr 8, 2010 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Dude has these types of injuries every single season, though. I even joked with a buddy of mine early in the game that Chipper was going to tweak his back or his toe on a swing before he actually did end up hurting himself.

It’s just to be expected, I know, but Chipper seems to have taken it to another level the last several years.

Still one of my favorite players ever, though.

by get swoll yunel on Apr 8, 2010 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I know its a tough series...

But sitting Chipper for a few days is best. Poeple will complain, but if he can only go 75%, then I’d rather have Infante at 3rd, than a less effective Chipper (though I’d take chipper at 75% than some player’s 100) Give th guy a break, he’s 37 and has been playing long enough to know when he cant go

by Shoert on Apr 8, 2010 11:29 PM EDT reply actions

Infante is the man, though.

Let Chip take a few days off. I was hoping it wouldn’t flare up until late April.

Let Diaz get some more playing time in SF.

And this nasty “golfing funk” the Braves hitters are in will disappear. The rythym will be back soon.

"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Apr 8, 2010 11:41 PM EDT reply actions

Lineup vs Sanchez?

1. Cabrera CF
2. Prado 3B
3. Diaz LF
4. Glaus 1B
5. Escobar SS
6. Heyward RF
7. Ross C
8. Infatante 2B

All but one bat right handed vs the lefty.

by bbxxj on Apr 8, 2010 11:58 PM EDT reply actions

I think we’ll see something very similar to that assuming Chipper really is out.

"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."

by Scott Coleman on Apr 9, 2010 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Infante
Prado
Heyward
Glaus
McCann
Esco
Diaz
McLouth/Cabrera

by Mr. Sanchez on Apr 9, 2010 7:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I do wonder...

…if Cox will do something crazy and stick the 20 yr. old in the #3 slot. I know he is tempted to try it. I don’t know if he’ll do it against a lefty however, and we will face two lefties in Lincecum this weekend.

by cavebird on Apr 9, 2010 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Well that didn’t take long.

"My God! Good news fans, the Braves are showing signs of life for the first time in weeks. As a matter of fact, they appear to be beating the crap out of each other."

by bravos1984 on Apr 8, 2010 11:59 PM EDT reply actions

With Chipper being out, I wouldn’t mind seeing McLouth being moved up in the order. If I remember correctly, prior to his last walk he had an OBP of .455 for the series. What abuot batting him 3rd until Chipper is back? If not him, then I’d say McCann.

by dunnytwogloves on Apr 9, 2010 12:32 AM EDT reply actions

This may very well be the “excuse” to start Jason Heyward in the 3 spot.

[only built for cuban linx]

by Mighty Healthy on Apr 9, 2010 12:34 AM EDT reply actions

not against Jonathan Sanchez it doesn’t. Jay Hey hasn’t looked too great against lefties so far.

"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."

by Scott Coleman on Apr 9, 2010 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions

and he won't

but he’ll have to improve against them eventually, he’s Mr. All-World. It’s not like we platooned Brian McCann.

[only built for cuban linx]

by Mighty Healthy on Apr 9, 2010 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions

We also didn’t have Brian McCann hitting 3rd. I’m not saying we should platoon Heyward against lefties…I’m saying he shouldn’t hit 3rd against lefties at this point in his career.

"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."

by Scott Coleman on Apr 9, 2010 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I went over this in a fanpost

The preferred option here is to shift Prado to 3B and then put Infante at second, I think. It upgrades the defense at two positions.

by Bronn on Apr 9, 2010 12:39 AM EDT reply actions

Although it helps overall defense

Prado is a regular now now, a regular at 2nd. It isn’t like Chipper is out for the year, I think since he’s only down until monday let Infante man 3rd. For the sake of continuity.

[only built for cuban linx]

by Mighty Healthy on Apr 9, 2010 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes but

It’s been fairly established that Prado is better as a corner than a second baseman. There are sample size issues with UZR, but the eyes agree with the numbers. I think that’s what should be done.

Against a righty, we might put Hinske at third. He’s got some experience there.

by Bronn on Apr 9, 2010 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Chipper being injured is expected not shocking.

You have to pencil in chipper for missing 30-40 games a season. If it were another player, I would have been like “Damn that’s really sucks,” since it’s Chipper it’s just “Ehh.” As long as he’s there during the stretch run (Sept/Oct), it really doesn’t matter if he is hurt. He is valuable but not superman. Pitching, strong defense, and a run or two usually gets the team over these problems.

I think I have a man crush on the 4H club. Heyward, Heap, Hanson, and Hudson. What a Brave New World.

by romone_braves91 on Apr 9, 2010 12:48 AM EDT reply actions

He actually played in a lot of games – well, a lot for Chipper – last year, and it sure looked as if he were trying to play through some of those minor injuries, especially when he struggled late in the season. I wonder if he did that to quell some of the criticism of his missing a a lot of time. I hope he rests up and comes back completely healthy rather than trying to play when he is still sore. Prado, Infante, Hinske, et al are good enough to hold the fort down.

by Ray Steele on Apr 9, 2010 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd hope to see Chipper take time and properly rest.

We have seen too many seasons with Chipper battling a nagging injury (or several). Prado and Infante are more than capable of shouldering the duties. Perhaps Bobby should even consider giving Chipper every fifth day off.

by RamblininAlb on Apr 11, 2010 10:32 AM EDT reply actions