Chipper Jones scratched from lineup Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Atlanta Braves third baseman
Chipper Jones was scratched prior to Thursday's game against the Philadelphia
Phillies with a groin injury.
He tweaked his groin during a ninth-inning at-bat on Wednesday but finished
the game and was 2-for-4 with his 11th home run of the season. He also
increased his major-league leading batting average to .418.
He was replaced at third by Omar Infante.... More...
Chipper Jones was scratched from the lineup Thursday with a groin strain, but he expects to play Friday, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "It's hard to sit out, especially after a good win last night," said Jones. "But I'm thinking bigger picture. If I can miss one game here and there to avoid missing six or seven, or a 15-day DL stint, then I have to be smart enough to be able to step aside for one game."
Our View:Chipper owners should be thrilled this ailment isn't a serious one, as the third baseman is scalding hot at the dish.
Chuck James allowed three home runs and five earned runs to fall to 2-3 on the year. James gave up six hits and five walks in four innings of work.
Our View:James just isn't right, a fact that appears to be obvious to everyone other than the Braves decision makers. James has now allowed seven home runs in just 23 innings covering five starts, and until he reverses that trend he has little chance of being a productive hurler.
Chipper Jones tweaked his right groin in his last AB on Wednesday, and as a result the Braves will sit him out on Thursday night, according to MLB.com. The pain in the groin continued Thursday while hitting off a tee, but Chipper isn't likely headed to the DL with this latest ailment. "I feel confident that we'll get this thing knocked out and I will get back in there in no time," Jones said.
Our View:Jones is the heart of the Braves and all the fantasy teams he currently plays for thanks to a .418-11-32 line through 37 games. You know what you're getting with Chipper, and this is just one of those times that you have to be patient. Omar Infante figures to fill in.
