Francoeur says he’s unfazed by trade talk

BALTIMORE —- Jeff Francoeur has been the subject of trade rumors for a while now, so the latest, a report out of Miami, didn’t seem to faze him much.

The Miami Herald reported Sunday that the Florida Marlins rejected a trade offer of Francoeur for Cody Ross a few weeks back. The Braves would not comment, but it is believed they had discussions with the Marlins before they traded for Nate McLouth.

For Francoeur, this is the second time in a few weeks his name has surfaced in trade rumors —- the last in reports the Red Sox might have interest. Francoeur is trying not to let that get to him.

“If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen,” Francoeur said of a trade. “I can’t control that. I don’t have a long-term deal. Even if I’m here next year, that stuff will keep popping up because of it. That’s just part of the game. It’s a business. They have to mix and match what they want to do financially. I’m not sure if I’m in those plans or not. I’m just going to keep playing and keep doing what I do.”

Francoeur said with time, he’s gotten thicker skin about it.

“After what I went through last year, it does not faze me now,” Francoeur said. “Something like that I’m sure would have bothered me last year. Now it’s like, ‘Hey, what are you going to do?’ Look at Nate [McLouth]. Who would ever thought he was going somewhere?”

Jones slumping

Chipper Jones has gone five games without a hit, dropping his batting average to .298 with an 0-for-21 stretch. Two more fruitless at-bats and he matches his career-long slump of 0-for-23, which he did Aug. 3-9, 2000.

“I did barrel a ball today, but I think it’s just something I need to get in the cage and iron out over the next two days and hopefully get out of this as quick as possible,” he said.

The Braves are off today in Cincinnati before opening a series against the Reds on Tuesday.

“My mind is telling me one thing, and my body is doing another thing,” Jones said of balls he’s rolling over to second base. “I’m thinking up the middle and the other way, and my body is in pulling mode.”

Kotchman is close

Casey Kotchman completed a minor league rehabilitation assignment in AAA Gwinnett by going 0-for-2 with one RBI. Kotchman, who went 0-for-3 with three RBIs in the two games in AAA, is expected to rejoin the Braves in Cincinnati and be activated from the disabled list Tuesday. He has been out with a strained right calf.

The Braves likely will send Barbaro Canizares back to Gwinnett. He went 0-for-4 Sunday to drop to .235 (4-for-17) after getting four hits in his first three major league games. Gregor Blanco is another possibility, though he gives the Braves more options defensively.

McMichael update

Braves scout and assistant to the general manager Chuck McMichael suffered a seizure Sunday sitting in the stands at Camden Yards. He was taken to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Braves PR director Brad Hainje said his vital signs were OK before he left the stadium, and he was taken to the hospital for tests.