Chipper 'struggling' to get a hit
Baltimore — 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.
"It is what it is," Jones said Sunday. "I'm struggling right now. 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."
The Braves are off Monday in Cincinnati before opening a series against the Reds Tuesday.
"My mind is telling me one thing, and my body is doing another thing," said Jones, 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 will likely 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.
Assistant GM hospitalized
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 hospital. 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.
