Chipper Hurt, Expects to Be Back in WBC Soon
Chipper Jones, the third baseman for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, “mildly strained” his right external oblique on Sunday in the 4th inning against Team Venezuela. He played two more innings, and then left in the 6th.
“I took a big swing and I felt it then,” said Jones. “Each swing, it got progressively worse. I decided it was probably [best] not to be out there.”
The Atlanta Braves star has suffered many oblique injuries before. He expects to return when Team USA advances to the second round this weekend. Jones says the recovery will be only a few days, not a few weeks, “Oblique strains are something that happen to switch-hitters quite frequently. I’ve had this thing dozens of times. I know the severity of it. This is probably something that will be knocked out in three or four days.”
Jones attended an optional workout on Monday. He is limited to conditioning for the next few days.
Braves manager Bobby Cox isn’t worried that Jones will do anything that can jeopardize being in the lineup for the Braves this season. Cox knows his third baseman well, saying, “Chipper is smart. He’s not going to do anything that could make it worse.”
Chipper Jones wants to be back in the lineup as fast as he can. “I haven’t even contributed to this point, at least offensively,” said Jones. “But it’s fun to be a part of.
You couldn’t get me away from here with a crowbar. I’m just having too much fun.”
Team USA will face the winner of the Venezuela and either Canada or Italy on Wednesday at 6:30 PM ET.
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