Chipper wants to shed injury-prone label

The Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, who'll be 35 in April, was on the disabled list three separate times in 2006, twice late in the year for a left oblique strains and once the first week of the year for a sprained knee and ankle. A player that was once the model of health and consistency - Jones played in 150-plus games for nine straight seasons, 1996-2003 - is now dangerously teetering on the brink of having his entire career tainted by the injury-prone label that's fully dogging him. Jones played in only 109 games in 2005, largely due to issues with those genetically bad feet. Often painful bunions led to problems with the plantar plate and a ligament in his left foot, forcing him into a protective boot for more than a month.

Regardless of what preventative measures he takes, as long as he continues to play the game, Jones said his feet are going to remind him that they're not perfectly normal. "Yeah, they give me problems and it's going to keep me out a day here and a day there, but hopefully that's all it is," he said. "I think I can play through it."

He hit his second spring home run Saturday, and he's up to .333 in March, but Jones hasn't even made it through camp without fueling concerns about his health. And it hasn't even been about his feet. Everyone cringed March 12 when Jones pulled up after his first at-bat in Jupiter, Fla. He limped off with what was feared to be issues with those pesky feet. Instead, it was a mild ankle sprain that didn't even keep him out of the lineup a day. Four days later, Jones tweaked his right side during batting practice. He didn't return until Thursday, but a couple of those days were manager Bobby Cox being overly cautious. "His side is no longer hurting," Cox reiterated Saturday, before uttering something pretty telling about Jones' current state. "Knock on wood."

In 2006, Chipper hit .324 with 26 home runs, 86 RBI, 87 runs and 6 SB in only 110 games. Jones has the potential to post big numbers in 2007, if he can stay healthy.
Source: Macon Telegraph

Smoltz ready for Opening Day start

Braves ace John Smoltz pitched a day early on Thursday against the Mets, going six innings and allowing one run on seven hits with five strikeouts and a walk. Smoltz was initially scheduled to face the Phillies on Friday, but with the Braves playing Philadelphia on Opening Day and Smoltz being their Opening Day starter, Smoltz called an audible. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that Smoltz used his changeup more often in the game and expects to use it more during the season. "I feel like I have five pitches I can throw any time," said Smoltz. "I don't want to get carried away, but I've accomplished a lot of what I wanted to do this spring."

In 20 innings this spring, Smoltz is sporting a 1.80 ERA with 17 strikeouts and three walks. He is scheduled to pitch again Tuesday before going on Opening Day. He remains intriguing among the top 25 starters to target on Draft Day. His age should be a concern, but that is what will allow him to be picked up affordably. It is also good to see that he still has a great work ethic after 18 seasons in the majors. Consider him a No. 1 or 2 SP, depending on the league size.
Source: CBS SportsLine.com

Braves: Left field platoon situation is undecided

With just two weeks remaining before the start of the regular season, Braves manager Bobby Cox still hasn't indicated how he plans to split time in left field between Ryan Langerhans (pictured left), Craig Wilson and Matt Diaz. Wilson has been battling arthritis in his right shoulder, so he’s likely the odd man out of the equation. Cox could very well revisit the platoon situation he utilized with Langerhans and Diaz after the All-Star break last year, though Langerhans -- the superior defensive player -- could claim the job outright if he continues to swing a hot stick (.378 AVG this spring).
Source: MLB.com

Thorman: Continues spring offensive surge

Scott Thorman continued his recent offensive surge with two hits, including his first home run of Spring Training, and three RBIs on Monday. He now has eight hits over his last 24 at-bats (.333). It’s encouraging to see Thorman’s bat come around, as he’ll give himself the chance to earn 500 at-bats as the Braves' regular first baseman as long as he avoids any big-time slumps. With his power potential, he’s worth a look in deeper NL-only formats.
Source: MLB.com

Braves: Starting pitchers looking strong

Chuck James and the rest of the Atlanta Braves' starting pitchers are heading into the final stage of spring training looking strong. James overcame control problems to throw five scoreless innings on Monday, lowering his ERA to 2.57 in the Braves' 6-0 win over the Cleveland Indians. James gave up four hits but walked three. He loaded the bases in the second with two walks after Casey Blake's double, then pitched out of the jam.

"I definitely was reminded why we have a pitching coach again," said James, who met with Roger McDowell after every inning "so I didn't feel goofy throwing."

Atlanta's starters have stellar ERAs. Buddy Carlyle, who has not allowed a run in 10 innings, is followed by Lance Cormier (1.29), Tim Hudson (1.80) and John Smoltz (1.93). Braves starters have a 2.25 ERA, allowing 18 earned runs in 72 innings.

"I think a lot of the guys are ready to go," manager Bobby Cox said.


Chuck James


John Smoltz


Tim Hudson

Cormier In Lead For Final Spot In Braves Rotation

Halfway through the Grapefruit League schedule, Lance Cormier has built what could be an insurmountable lead over Kyle Davies in the race for the final spot in the Atlanta Braves' rotation. Cormier pitched five scoreless innings of three-hit ball Thursday night in a 3-2 loss against the New York Yankees at Legends Field, lowering his ERA to 1.29 in four starts.

Manager Bobby Cox said of Cormier, who ranks among major league leaders in ERA, wins (3-0), strikeouts (13) and innings (14), and has issued one walk: "He's looked great all spring, and he looked good in all the starts he had [in 2006]."
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Hudson: Looks Impressive In Start Against Tigers

Braves SP Tim Hudson worked five scoreless innings Sunday against the Tigers. He allowed just three hits and a walk, while striking out three. He has now just allowed three earned runs in 15 innings (1.80 ERA). He also has seven strikeouts. Hudson has looked awfully impressive this spring after a disappointing 2006 campaign. The Braves were 21-14 in his starts, so it's entirely possible they would have missed the playoffs even if he had pitched much better. A miserable bullpen was the main problem. The bullpen appears to have improved in the offseason, with Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez coming aboard, so consider Hudson as a decent No. 4 SP in 12-team mixed leagues.
Source: CBS SportsLine.com

McCann: Top 3 Catcher Hits Second Spring Homer

Braves C Brian McCann hit his second spring homer Sunday against the Tigers. He is now 9-for-32 (.281) with six runs, two doubles and three RBI in 11 spring games. McCann is an excellent Fantasy option at perhaps the thinnest position in all of Fantasy. He is among the top three Fantasy options at catcher and will be an early round pick on Draft Day.
Source: CBS SportsLine.com

2007 Braves Projected Lineup

2007 Atlanta Braves

Batting Order

1. 2B Kelly Johnson
2. SS Edgar Renteria
3. 3B Chipper Jones
4. CF Andruw Jones
5. C Brian McCann
6. RF Jeff Francoeur
7. 1B Scott Thorman/Craig Wilson
8. LF Matt Diaz/Ryan Langerhans

That the Braves feel Johnson is well suited to leading off strengthens his case for the starting job at second base. Martin Prado and Pete Orr can offer more on defense, but Johnson has showed enough since moving back in from the outfield to make the Braves think the experiment can work. He's a big-time sleeper. … If Diaz is going to be playing left field on a regular basis -- something that seems likely but is still far from being decided -- a first base platoon is going to become a necessity. The Braves have said they want to give Thorman a chance to be an everyday player, but they were fine with platooning Adam LaRoche his first two years in the league. Wilson could be a massive upgrade versus lefties. … Diaz won't show enough power to be a major factor in NL-only leagues, but he's capable of batting .300 even while playing against righties as well as lefties. He's battling Ryan Langerhans for at-bats.

Rotation

John Smoltz
Tim Hudson
Chuck James
Kyle Davies
Mark Redman

Lance Cormier

The first three starters are set, barring injury. Two spots are open after LHP Mike Hampton went down with an oblique injury. Davies, newly signed Redman and RHP Lance Cormier are competing for the slots.

Closer: Bob Wickman

Hampton Out Until Mid-May With Oblique Strain

During a round of batting practice on Wednesday, Braves pitcher Mike Hampton suffered a serious left oblique strain. Hampton, who underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2005, had been hoping to be ready to pitch by the beginning of the season, but this injury pushes his timeframe back until at least mid-May. The subsequent opening in the rotation means that Lance Cormier and Kyle Davies, who were battling for the No. 5 spot, are both likely to be named starters by the end of Spring Training.
Source: MLB.com

Hudson Gets Stronger, Ready To Perform

Tim Hudson is supposed to be a No. 1 starter. Last season, he pitched like he belonged at the back of the rotation. The former 20-game winner blames himself for costing the Atlanta Braves another trip to the playoffs, and he's determined not to let it happen again.

Hudson might have been the Braves' most disappointing player in 2006, a label he won't dispute. The right-hander was handed the honor of starting on Opening Day but struggled most of the season, finishing 13-12 with a career-worst 4.86 ERA.

Hudson went 14-9 with a 3.52 ERA in his first season with the Braves, a bit of a disappointment but one that he felt was easily explainable. He was with a new team, a new league. He figured it would take a year to get adjusted, then everything would return to normal. Instead, it got worse in 2006.

"It was just my delivery," Hudson said. "I had some bad habits that I developed in my delivery. I was just getting into the habit of overthrowing a little bit. I was trying to do too much out there, and from that you get into bad habits."

He's not the biggest pitcher in the world - listed at 6-foot-1 and a slender 170 pounds - and there were times when he felt weak in the searing Atlanta heat.

"I lost a little bit of strength," Hudson conceded. "When that happens, there's a tendency to overthrow a little bit to compensate for not feeling so strong. Things kind of snowballed on me a little bit."

During the offseason, he worked on simplifying his pitching motion and getting stronger. Even though Hudson hasn't pitched his first game of spring training - that comes today against Houston - he already has noticed the difference.

"I got a lot stronger," he said. "I feel really good right now coming into this year."
Source: macon.com

Mike Hampton Feels Pain

Mike Hampton experienced slight discomfort in his surgically repaired left elbow while throwing breaking pitches during batting practice Tuesday. Bad news. Hampton, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2005, will miss at least his first start of the Grapefruit League season. "I'm just going to not try to rush it," the 34-year-old southpaw said. "As bad as I want to get out there and pitch, I know I'm not ready right now. I don't feel that I can go out there and pitch consistently for 30 pitches -- let it go and pitch with the confidence that I'll be all right."
Source: MLB.com

Smoltz Should Start Opening Day

After passing off the opening day honors last season, John Smoltz is all set to handle the Atlanta Braves' first start of 2007. To the surprise of no one, manager Bobby Cox aligned his spring training rotation to ensure that Smoltz would be ready to pitch the April 2 opener at Philadelphia.

"We could always switch things around, but it looks that way," Cox said Monday.

Smoltz deferred a year ago, letting Tim Hudson take the opening-day start in what was supposed to symbolize a passing of the guard at the top of the rotation. But the 39-year-old right-hander went on to have a much better season than Hudson, going 16-9 with a 3.49 ERA. While acknowledging that he was excited about pitching in the first game, Smoltz downplayed the honor.

Smoltz would certainly like to forget his record in three opening-day starts: 0-3 with a 7.71 ERA. Two years ago, he lasted only 1 2-3 innings against the Florida Marlins, giving up six earned runs.

Kyle Davies will start against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Grapefruit League opener Thursday. He'll be followed in the next three games by Smoltz, Hudson and Chuck James. Lance Cormier will fill the fifth slot in the rotation if Mike Hampton isn't ready to pitch next Monday against Washington.
Source: AP

Chipper Struggles With Foot Pain

Chipper Jones, The Atlanta Braves third baseman, remains one of baseball's most feared hitters, but his career is hindered by a set of bad feet. There's nothing he can do about it, other than those frequent injections he's taken over the years to deaden the pain. So, he'll play it out while fretting about the next step, wondering how bad it's going to hurt.

"Every time I start running, it's on my mind," Jones conceded Friday. "Every time I push off, every time I accelerate, it's there."

Jones was an ironman through his first nine years in the majors, playing an average of 155 games and winning the NL MVP award in 1999. But the past three seasons were marred by a litany of ailments, along with the overriding concern that something he's had since birth will shorten or certainly cramp the rest of his career.

"My feet were killing me at the end of last year," Jones conceded.

Coming up on his 35th birthday, he decided to take a different tack during the offseason. He basically took three months off, hoping to get over all the aches and pains that allowed him to play just 110 games in 2006.

Jones went out in April with a sprained right knee. Then he strained his oblique muscle, a nagging pain in his side that made it difficult to swing, put him on the disabled list and was a problem through most of the second half.

Despite the injuries, Jones managed to hit .324 with 26 homers and 86 RBIs in just 110 games. Over a full year, those power numbers project to 38 homers and 127 RBIs -- comparable to his MVP season. He also had a .409 on-base percentage and a .596 slugging average.

"From the time I got off the DL, I came out swinging," Jones said. "I was a tough out all year."

Surgery is not an option. It's just too risky.

"There's not a foot doctor in America who will touch me right now," Jones said. "There's all these horror stories about breaking the feet and resetting them. No one is going to take a professional athlete and take a chance on ending his career. To be honest with you, I'd much rather just play my way through it. I'll look at it down the road when I'm done playing."

For now, he's got to learn to play with some degree of pain and try not to worry about what might have been.
Source: AP

Advice: Chipper still has the ability to post solid numbers, but don't draft him too high because of the lingering foot problems that most likely will cause him to miss time.