ANAHEIM, California (AFP) — Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones said he was ready to play Saturday, one day after injuring his left eye in a bizarre batting-practice accident.
Jones, who leads the major leagues with a .414 batting average, fouled a pitch straight into the air which ricocheted off a metal bar on the batting cage and back into his face, causing a contusion.
Jones spent three hours at a hospital, but returned to Angel Stadium after tests showed no broken bones.
Jones, who has been hindered recently by a quadriceps injury, was available to pinch hit Friday night. Before being taken to hospital, he tried to persuade the Braves that he could play, but the team's medical staff insisted he go for tests after he reported blurred vision.
"Head injuries and eye injuries, you can't (take a chance)," Braves manager Bobby Cox said.
When he came back to the ballpark, Jones joked about the mishap.
"If you can't laugh at all the stuff that has gone on here this year, you're going to drive yourself crazy," he said.
Jones' injury came on the same day that the Braves said veteran pitcher Tom Glavine will be sidelined until at least the All-Star break with an elbow injury.
Earlier this week, veteran John Smoltz underwent shoulder surgery that ended his season and could yet prove to be career-ending.
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