Times wires
Thursday, March 3, 2011
KISSIMMEE — For Chipper Jones, it was all rather routine Thursday. And for him, that was a good thing.
Jones played third base for the first time since injuring his knee in August, and the perennial All-Star was flawless in the field as the Braves beat the Tigers 4-3.
Jones handled a grounder by Magglio Ordonez and threw him out, and also caught a popup in four innings.
"Once you get on the field instinct takes over. That's what you need to worry about. I wasn't expecting to be playing by now and I don't know what to expect," said Jones, who tore his left knee while making a play against Houston and missed the Braves' playoff run.
Jones opened this spring as a designated hitter but returned to his familiar spot against the Tigers. He also singled and scored a run.
Cubs Cool off: Manager Mike Quade held a team meeting before practice to address the dugout fight Wednesday between pitcher Carlos Silva and third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who dropped a pop fly that led to a Silva outburst.
Quade said the matter has "been put to bed."
"Sometimes a little revolt's not bad," he said. "I'm glad people were (upset). But we need to channel that anger at the opposition and within ourselves."
Quade also addressed the team's 14 errors and other mental lapses in the first four games .
Astros: Catcher Jason Castro will have knee surgery today for a torn meniscus and will be out for an indefinite period. Humberto Quintero and J.R. Towles are the remaining catchers on the roster. Plans to use Towles at other positions this spring have been suspended.
Giants: Former FSU catcher Buster Posey hit a two-run homer in a 7-5 win over the Rockies.
Indians: Former Gators slugger Matt LaPorta had a pinch-hit grand slam for the Indians in an 11-9 loss to Texas.
Mets: Closer Francisco Rodriguez pitched a scoreless inning in his spring debut in a 3-0 win over the Cardinals. Rodriguez gave up one hit and struck out one.
Padres: Bench coach Rick Renteria was scheduled for surgery Thursday night to repair a broken palate. In the morning he was struck in the face with a line drive during batting practice, the ball pushing his front teeth back.
Rangers: AL rookie of the year Neftali Feliz pitched two scoreless innings against the Indians in his bid to become part of the rotation. Feliz, who posted 40 saves last season for the AL champions, is getting a chance to start this year. He allowed two hits, walked one, hit a batter and threw 19 of his 36 pitches for strikes. "I need to find my pace so I can go longer," he said through a translator.
Reds: Right-hander Edinson Volquez, slated to start on opening day, is going back to the Dominican Republic to obtain his work visa. He expects to rejoin the Reds in Arizona on Tuesday. Right now he only has a travel visa.
Labor talks: Baseball's union and management started bargaining in Sarasota on a labor agreement to replace the deal that expires in December. Union head Michael Weiner said he probably will have another session in Arizona later this month.