Chipper Jones goes on DL — can Braves win without him?
Chipper Jones missed his seventh straight start with calf injury suffered at Tampa Bay.
(Updated: 11:31 p.m.)
When the Braves returned home Friday night, they didn’t have the usual look of a team just one game out of first place.
Their egos: dented from being swept in a four-game series for the first time in three years. Chipper Jones’ left calf: a blistered-and-blood-engorged mess from taking a missile of a grounder just above the ankle. Freddie Freeman: still unsure whether to go with the new prescription goggles or new contacts for the dry eyes that caused blurry vision. Brian McCann and Matt Diaz: fluish (although Diaz strangely felt comforted that he was now coughing up “red and green” mucus).
But near the end of May, despite a five-game losing streak, the arrow still generally points north for a team that played 29 of its first 46 games on the road — except for one significant area. They’re not giving much of an impression they can win without Chipper Jones.
This is an important issue, and not because Jones missed the entire four-game series in Cincinnati, and the Braves were swept. Even before his injury and at a time when seemingly everybody else in the lineup was hitting, the team still struggled without Jones.
Jones went on the disabled list following Friday’s 7-4 loss to Washington. He still has significant pain in his left calf and the Braves decided it wasn’t worth it to force him back into the lineup this weekend. But this isn’t meant to be an examination of whether he is too brittle at the age of 40. What happened to him at Tampa Bay last week could’ve happened to a 20-year-old: He took a B.J. Upton ground ball off his calf and the leg swelled and mutated. (Jones said, “I’ve never been hit that hard, ever,” and he was told if his ankle area had not had not been “cushioned” by socks and his shoe, the grounder would’ve broken a bone.)
The issue is whether the Braves are too dependent on one player to be successful. They’ve now played 47 games. They’re 21-8 when Jones has started or made at least one plate appearance and 5-13 when he hasn’t played at all. Discounting late-game appearances, the Braves are 19-5 (.792) when Jones starts and 7-16 (.304) when he doesn’t.
A winning percentage drop-off without Jones would be expected. Just not 488 points.
Maybe the Braves are better equipped to manufacture runs with Michael Bourn’s speed at the top of the batting order. Maybe hitting coach Greg Walker has improved the club’s situational hitting. But the contrasting won-loss records are alarming, particularly since Jones is going to be out of the lineup every few games even when he’s “healthy,” just to protect his knees.
“When he comes back, I don’t think he’s going to miss six or seven games in a row again,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
But just in case, does the team still need to prove it can win without Jones?
“Yes. But I don’t think he’s going to miss six or seven in a row again,” Gonzalez said. “If he misses six, seven in a row, we’re in trouble. But any team is going to have a hard time surviving when a guy in the middle of their lineup misses [a number of] games. The Phillies, without [Ryan] Howard and [Chase] Utley, they’re kind of treading water.”
Players don’t seem overly concerned about the situation, although Bourn said, “You never want to depend on one guy, but Chipper is who he is, and we’re going to miss him when he’s not in there. After this year, you’re going to have to get used to it because he’s not going to be here.”
Jones is having a strong season. He is third on the club in batting average (.307) and RBIs (24). He believes his presence brings “a calming influence” to others.
But, he said, “If you’re asking me whether guys go up to the plate and think, ‘Chipper’s not in the game so I’ve got to step up,’ I don’t think that’s the case. I just think what’s happened lately is I’ve missed quite a few games, and some guys have kind of fallen out out of the trees that they were in offensively.”
He sat out Friday. He may be out again Saturday. The Braves need to start figuring out how to win without him.
By Jeff Schultz
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
274 comments Add your comment
Turtsnap
May 25th, 2012
10:07 pm
I’d say no. After tonight, 3-8 in the division….. Spectacular!
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:08 pm
What position does Buxton play?
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
10:08 pm
Ding-dong . . . Heyward solo homer makes it 7-4.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
10:08 pm
Pitching change. Sean Burnett coming in.
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:09 pm
Welcome back J-HEY!!!!
Nativebird
May 25th, 2012
10:09 pm
Simple. Braves used to have a team load of hall of famers. Now they have one. Next year they will have none. Zip. Nada. With none in sight.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
10:10 pm
Jeff, was that dinger on a fast ball?
truth5
May 25th, 2012
10:11 pm
Mccann is having a terrible year at the plate, and is the worst defensive catcher in the league. A turtle could steal second on him. Freeman is coming back to reality after a good start. Uggla is hit or miss (usually miss). He may luck up and hit a solo HR once in a blue moon, but will usually strike out. The only people carrying this team are Jones, Bourn, and Prado. Our starting pitching stinks, and the bullpen is less than we expected.
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
10:12 pm
5 in a row……….Fredi just doesnt have the guts to make the moves. Huddy HAD THE BASES LOADED……Walking 2 of the hitters against Zimmerman……..But you just said it Gonzalez didnt have the GUTS to do what is right for the TEAM and let Huddy get killed. As a manager you have to make the tough decisions and take a 37 year old vetern out because you need to stay in this game. But I guess we shouldnt expect anything different he was the guy that throwed D BLOWE out there every 5th day down the stretch and allowed him to get killed on the last game of the season. The same guy that ran Jurrjens out there until he posted a 9.37 ERA then Wren and Schulholtz sent him down and the same guy that continues to throw Mike Minor out there every 5th day with a 6.96 ERA.
Lacey Underall
May 25th, 2012
10:14 pm
Fire Frank Wren!!!
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:15 pm
Earl is was and in the heart of the plate.
5150 UOAD
May 25th, 2012
10:16 pm
LOOKS LIKE THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS……………..HELL NO!!!!!!!!
Earl
May 25th, 2012
10:17 pm
I may be the only one, but I personally think that Medlen should be in the rotation. I know he is valuable coming out of the pen, but the pen can’t help if your starters can’t keep it close. I feel it would be easier to find a #3 or 4 in the bullpen than a quality starting pitcher.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
10:17 pm
Thanks Bill.
Nativebird
May 25th, 2012
10:18 pm
Welcome back jeyhey?….from where? Right field? From the desert of struggling overhyped average baseball players that franchises continue to over invest in? Is that where?
truth5
May 25th, 2012
10:18 pm
you know, the hilarious thing about all of this is… last year all the chipper haters were calling for him to retire… do you now see how valuable he is in the line-up?? So what if he doesn’t play 100 games a year, we cant win a dang game without him
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
10:20 pm
Well Schultz its your turn
romebrave
May 25th, 2012
10:20 pm
Having Hudson walk Harper gives the bullpen more time. He had just made the call to the bullpen after the first walk. If he wasn’t a rookie it would have been a straight intentional walk. Don’t need to give that kid a bigger head than he already has.
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:20 pm
One monkey don’t stop the show… 5150, unless he is the only Monkey that can hit.
Does the word Team mean anything to the Braves?
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
10:21 pm
Dumbass just ran onto the field. … Actually, drunk dumbass to be totally accurate.
Earl Hickey
May 25th, 2012
10:21 pm
Could there be a bigger Braves apologist than Joe “Homer” Simpson? He just commented that he disagreed with a fan who thought the Braves didn’t play well on the road. After all, they did go 2-5. But Joltin’ Joe pointed out all the injuries the team has. I wish someone would point out to him the Braves have close to the fewest–if not the fewest–players on the disabled list in the majors. The Nationals have ten! I keep waiting for him to be more of a professional and less of a cheerleader and PR shill but it probably isn’t going to happen.
The Grinch
May 25th, 2012
10:22 pm
I doubt many sober people run out on the field.
The Grinch
May 25th, 2012
10:22 pm
I doubt many sober people run out on the field.
The Grinch
May 25th, 2012
10:22 pm
Oops.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
10:22 pm
Truth, I have to be honest, I was one of those guys, but it sure seems to be that way when he is not in the lineup. The Braves have got to find a replacement for him. I just can’t see them going in to next year without a quality 3B. I love Prado, but he is not the long term answer at 3B.
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
10:24 pm
You know its a bad game when the most excitement is some drunk idiot running out on the field……..At least he wasnt wearing a wedding dress this time……..
But Schults im waiting for your retort
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
10:25 pm
And im not gonna spell your name right until you respond
Earl
May 25th, 2012
10:26 pm
The drunk may not have seen the highlights of the umpire in Baltimore a couple of weeks ago…….priceless.
Nativebird
May 25th, 2012
10:26 pm
There is no way, no chance Liberty Media will replace Chipper jones, with the next Chipper Jones. Nor anything close. Book it.
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
10:28 pm
Schultz you dont have to hide……..Fredi on the other hand
Dumbass
May 25th, 2012
10:29 pm
If you gotta watch such a “sinking fast” Braves Team lose to the Nats, you might as while go out in handcuffs, three sheets to the wind!
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:30 pm
I read today Mets were thinking about trading Wright!
truth5
May 25th, 2012
10:32 pm
When Chipper gets back, he needs to go back in the 3 hole. Bourn and Prado are getting on base, but freeman, uggla, and mccant will not move them.
1. bourn
2. Prado
3. Chip
4. Uggla
5.Freeman
6. Mccann
7. Heyward
8. Pastornicky
Tomorrow Braves will be three games back.
May 25th, 2012
10:33 pm
So much for a showdown…..Braves need hitters. Period!
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
10:33 pm
Schultz if you write a new article about Fredi Choking and sitting on his hands and not doing anything……..I will apologize to you right now.
Earl
May 25th, 2012
10:34 pm
I would love to see Wright in Atlanta but if that happened, there would be riots in New York……No telling what the Mets would want for him……Just so they don’t repeat the mistake they made with the Mark Texiera trade….
Good night all. good chatting and have a good night.
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
10:37 pm
Jeff Schultz……please do the right thing as a journalist and call out the lack of calls by Fredi.
Call him out!!!!!!!!!!
Set your self apart from Bradley and DOB and point out his ineffective managerial skills
5150 UOAD
May 25th, 2012
10:44 pm
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:20 pm
One monkey don’t stop the show… 5150, unless he is the only Monkey that can hit.
Does the word Team mean anything to the Braves?
Jeff didn’t ask about the rest of the TEAM just if Chipper wasn’t playing could the other guys win. Well they didn’t but it don’t mean the can’t.
The answer tonight is………..HELL NO
Fredi Kruger
May 25th, 2012
10:45 pm
<======Nightmare on Peachtree
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:46 pm
J-Man..the ajc reporters will not do that..well put it this way– They like to go to the games and talk to players , coaches , go in clubhouse etc..They wouldn’t be welcome if they called him out. Don’t rock the boat baby…just saying.
Bill
May 25th, 2012
10:48 pm
rock on 5150..tomorrow is another day.
Goodnight all.
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
10:48 pm
I guess they are just afraid to do so.
LakeDawg
May 25th, 2012
10:49 pm
The Braves are a head case. Can’t win without Chipper, even though his impact is minimal. Are coasting along, lose a couple of games, and now no one can hit, save Prado. EVERY pitcher is now grooving middle of the plate, waist high 0-2 fastballs. The curse of Bobby Cox lives!
5150 UOAD
May 25th, 2012
10:50 pm
Bill…………reporters in New York, Chicago, Philly, and Pittsburgh do it all the time and still get invited back to all those things.
LakeDawg
May 25th, 2012
10:52 pm
Phillies will win the division. The Braves might finish last. Can you tell I have no faith in ATL teams.
mace224
May 25th, 2012
10:53 pm
Forget about paying a boatload to Bourn/Boras. Let him walk. After Hansen, Beachy, the rest can go.Huddy’s lost it. Hansen right now looks the best.
mace224
May 25th, 2012
10:57 pm
Do you think they pay those drunks to run onto the field to add entertainment for a team with no offense?
john
May 25th, 2012
10:58 pm
who will you blame the bad season on if chipper does not return this season . ???
alex
May 25th, 2012
10:59 pm
‘Here’s the bright side,tickets for future games will be cheaper on the resale market…….
Tough to stomach FG.
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
11:02 pm
None of the Beat writers called out Fredi G for not DH Chipper in that Tampa series.
But Larry Drew gets blasted and has a poll on him as to if he should stay or go……I just wanna can hypocrisy