ATLANTA — Chipper Jones might have played his last game in the majors after tearing up his left knee while fielding a groundball during Tuesday’s game at Houston.
The Braves said Thursday the 38-year-old third baseman tore his anterior cruciate ligament and will need surgery. The estimated recovery time is six months, short enough to be ready for the next opening day — if Jones decides to return in 2011.
The Braves will have to carry on with Omar Infante and Brooks Conrad sharing third base, though neither has Jones’ power.
Cueto slapped with suspension
NEW YORK — Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto has been suspended for seven games for his actions during a brawl Tuesday with the Cardinals, and both managers were suspended.
Major League Baseball said Cueto, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and Reds manager Dusty Baker also were fined undisclosed amounts. Four other players were fined but not suspended — Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter and catcher Yadier Molina, and Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips and relief pitcher Russ Springer.
Footnotes.
MLB owners unanimously approved the sale of the Rangers to an investment group led by Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan.
• Andy Pettitte’s simulated game in Tampa, Fla., was called off when the Yankees left-hander’s left flexor tendon stiffened. If Pettitte feels fine today, he will try again.
• A federal appeals court in Houston refused to reinstate a defamation lawsuit that disgraced former pitcher Roger Clemens filed against his former personal trainer, Brian McNamee, who claims he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone more than a dozen times.
The Associated Press
