Chipper out of WBC with strained side

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones is out of the World Baseball Classic after aggravating his strained right oblique muscle before Team USA’s game with the Netherlands Sunday in Miami.

Jones planned to return to Braves camp in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., late Sunday to be evaluated by team doctors. The regular-season opener for the Braves is April 5 at Philadelphia.

“I know it’s a lot worse than it was [the] first time around in Canada,” said Jones, who was initially hurt March 8 in a WBC game at Toronto, “and I just think — as well as the brass in Atlanta — think it’s probably better that we get back to Orlando and take care of it in-house as quickly as possible.”

Braves general manager Frank Wren said, “We understand that Chipper reinjured his side tonight and was evaluated by Dr. Dan Kanell, and it was determined he should return to Orlando to be evaluated and for further treatment. It is still thought to be a mild strain from the initial evaluation.”

Jones was 0-for-10 with six strikeouts in the WBC, including 0-for-3 in Saturday’s 11-1 loss against Puerto Rico. He sat out one game after the original injury, which he said at the time was minor compared to other oblique strains he’s had in his career.

He was to serve as designated hitter Sunday, but was scratched after feeling his side worsen during batting practice. On Saturday, American League MVP Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox left Team USA after straining an oblique muscle.

Jones was asked what he would say to those critical of the WBC because of the injury risk.

“I don’t know that it wouldn’t have happened in Orlando [at spring training],” he said. “We’re at the point in spring training where we’re starting to extend numbers of at-bats and numbers of innings that we play in spring training, so I’m not going to say that it wouldn’t have happened. When I take an at-bat in spring training, I’m no less aggressive than I would have been here because I want to try to get something out of each and every at-bat.”