Chipper Jones, 3B, Atlanta Braves

June 6, 2007 @ 03:36:06

By Ryan R. Bonini
Edited by Ryan Dodson

Injuries and fantasy baseball, or any fantasy sport for that matter, go hand-in-hand. Unfortunately for owners of Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones (hand), another stay on the disabled list seemed inevitable.

The Braves made the move official, placing Jones on the 15-day disabled list Friday, June 1. However, June 5, it was revealed he will miss serveral weeks due to two injured hands and wrists. He received two cortisone injections and is wearing a brace on each wrist.

Jones No Stranger to Injury Bug

Jones, 35, has spent far too much time on the pine in recent years. He played in just 110 games in 2006, 109 games in 2005 and 137 games in 2004.

Jones hadn't been in the lineup since May 23 due to sore right thumb, which he had been receiving cortisone shots in as an attempt to prevent him from a stint on the disabled list.

A Chipper Season

Jones has been posting solid numbers thus far, hitting .300 with 12 home runs, 33 runs scored and 27 RBI, numbers that won't be easy to replace in fantasy lineups.

Table: Chipper Jones' 2007 statistics

G	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	SB	AVG
42	160	33	48	12	27	0	0.300

He has been a solid four-category contributor this season, but one has to worry his swing may not be where it needs to be due to the right thumb injury.

The Braves will be hard pressed to replace him, too, but appear content using a platoon situation to get the job done. Infielders Martin Prado and Peter Orr have both seen time in his place at the hot corner since Jones started missing time. Unfortunately, neither player has done well this season.

Prado is hitting just .179 with three runs. He has yet to push a runner in and doesn't have a stolen base on the year, either.

Orr is hitting .220 with five runs, two RBI and no home runs. He also hasn't contributed anything in the stolen base category.

Or, in a one-word summary from a fantasy perspective - ugh!

Neither is worthy of consideration - or even a passing glance - for your fantasy team.

One move that would make sense would be to place hot-hitting utilityman Willie Harris at third base. He has only played two innings at third base this season and in his career though. Harris is hitting .397 with a homer, nine RBI and six steals.

Potential Fantasy Replacements

Some options to acquire to replace Jones in your fantasy league include Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Ryan Braun, Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds and Cleveland Indians third baseman Casey Blake.

Braun, who was just called up a bit over a week ago, is hitting .278 but has tacked on two home runs, six RBI, seven runs scored and two stolen bases in his short stay in the majors. He is owned in many leagues, but given his high ceiling, it's worth mentioning that if he's available, fantasy owners should grab him.

Reynolds, who is hitting .385 on the year, has four homers, 15 RBI and 14 runs scored.

Blake is hitting .281 on the year with eight home runs, 29 RBI and 36 runs scored. He has also chipped in two stolen bases. Even more attractive for fantasy players is that some leagues are allowing him to be played at first base, third base and outfield.

All three are worthy of consideration to fill the hole in your lineup while Jones continues to mend his hand injury. In fact, if they keep playing well you may be forced to consider letting someone else on your roster go upon their return.

If those three are gone, take a look at Cincinnati Reds third baseman Edwin Encarnacion, who has nine hits in his last four games.

What to Do with Jones...

Be sure to place him on your disabled list if the option is available, or stash him on the bench and search for a replacement on the waiver wire. Unless your team is loaded to the brim, don't think about unloading him to the waiver wire at this time.

When he's ready to come off of the disabled list, be sure to keep an eye on how his injured digit is feeling while keeping an eye on reports about how his swing is coming along before tossing him immediately into your lineup.

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Ryan R. Bonini

Founding KFFL in 1996, Bonini serves as KFFL's General Manager and VP of technology for KFFL's parent company, USA TODAY SPORTS Media Group. Bonini was named the 2009 Fantasy Football Writer of the Year by the FSWA and received honors with the Best Fantasy Football Series in '10, making him the first two-time FSWA football award winner.

His work has been found in USA Today, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, CBS Sports, NFL.com, and many others. He has also been featured on numerous radio programs around the country. Bonini is a member of the PFWA, FSWA and FSTA.

Follow Ryan on Twitter @ryanbonini

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