Chipper Jones was held out of the Atlanta Braves lineup Sunday due to discomfort in his right knee. After the late scratch, Jones received an MRI that showed a slight tear in the meniscus of his injured leg.
The third baseman received a shot in his knee and hopes that the pain subsides over the next few days. If not, he will face a similar surgery to one he underwent in 1996. The original procedure cost him about two weeks on the DL.
Jones has had his share of knee troubles in the past, but last year’s season ending surgery was on Jones’ left knee, not the right one that is currently bothering him. The injury occurred when the former MVP heard a pop while fielding a ground ball against the Houston Astros last August. Jones needed surgery for a torn ligament and was sidelined for the rest of the 2010 season.
Jones will sit out the next few games, resting his leg to hopefully avoid surgery that would result in a trip to the disabled list.
Brooks Conrad got his first of the season at third base Sunday in Jones’ absence. Martin Prado, the team’s everyday left fielder, has gotten the second most starts (7) at third behind Jones.
If Jones is forced to the DL, the team may tab Prado their interim third baseman and look to get Eric Hinske’s bat into their lineup in the outfield. Hinske’s outhit Conrad and fellow bench player Joe Mather this season. The veteran has posted a .379 batting average in May, bringing his line to .327/.345/.600 in limited time this season.