Chipper Jones: Season-Ending Knee Injury

There are reports all over (originated from 790 the Zone) that Chipper Jones' MRI evaluation today has shown a tear of his ACL stretch (or partial tear?) of his ACL that would likely require surgery. If true (it's yet to be confirmed by the team), this would all but certainly finish Chipper's season. Such an injury could also end his storied career. He's 38, tore the same ligament in 1994 and has also reportedly already talked about retirement at the end of the season. IF so, he would go down as, along with Hank Aaron, arguably the greatest Brave in franchise history.

UPDATE: Chipper's agent, BB Abbott, is reporting that the injury is indeed a tear.

This could strike a major blow to the team this season. While not the same player he was 10 years ago, Chipper has held down the 3 hole in the line-up and had been swinging an extremely hot bat for the past month or two. While his range has suffered a bit as he's climbed up in age, he's played a very reliable third base for the year. With Martin Prado still on the DL, we can bet on seeing Brooks Conrad at the hot corner for the time being. When Prado returns, it would seem likely that an Infante/Prado combination would cover 2B and 3B (pending any possible moves in the trade/waiver market).

A new (post-Prado return) line-up could look like this:

Prado - 2B/3B
Infante - 2B/3B
Heyward - RF
McCann - C
Hinske/Diaz - LF
Glaus - 1B
Gonzalez - SS
Ankiel/Cabrera - CF
Pitcher