Atlanta Braves’ pitcher Tim Hudson will miss his next scheduled start on Sunday, The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s David O’Brien reports. Hudson blamed bone chips in his left ankle, but the Braves hope he can start on Wednesday.

#Braves will skip Hudson tomorrow, minor ankle problem. Calling up Teheran for spot start. Hope Hudson can come back Wed vs Yankees

— David O’Brien (@ajcbraves) June 9, 2012

#Braves don’t want to take chances with Hudson favoring that ankle when coming off back surgery

— David O’Brien (@ajcbraves) June 9, 2012

Hudson said its bone chips in left ankle. Got cortisone shot yesterday. Seeing improvement from that. Said wed a possibility

— David O’Brien (@ajcbraves) June 9, 2012

The Braves will call up top pitching prospect Julio Teheran to start in place of Hudson. Teheran was ranked No. 5 in Baseball America’s list of Top 100 prospects before the season. Teheran is 5-2 with a 3.15 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings this season with Triple-A Gwinnett. He pitched a complete game seven-hitter his last time out.

Teheran was 1-1 with a 5.03 ERA in five games — three starts — for the Braves last season.

Hudson, meanwhile, has been the Braves’ third most consistent starter this season behind Brandon Beachy and Tommy Hanson. Hudson is 4-2 with a 3.83 ERA in eight starts.

Tim Tebow and Chipper Jones will open a D1 sports training facility in Orlando together. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Tim Tebow, the quarterback recently acquired by the New York Jets, and Chipper Jones, the third baseman for the Atlanta Braves, are opening a Division I sports training facility in Orlando together, according to Kevin Armstrong of the New York Daily News.

“His faith is as strong as anybody you’ll ever meet,” Jones said of Tebow. “And I don’t even know him, you know? So that’s my impression of him from afar. That being said, I’m a long-time loyal Gator, and he can do no wrong in my eyes.’’

According to the report,  the facility will have an indoor turf field, a weight room and a sports medicine and therapy clinic.  Tebow and Jones are from the same area of Jacksonville, Fla., and despite becoming business partners and entering into the venture together, the two co-owners have never met:

“I haven’t met Tim. I hope to in the very near future,” Jones said. “He’s probably the most recognizable figure in America right now. We’re from the same area in Jacksonville. I know he comes from a good family.”

Chipper Jones, on the DL since Thursday with a leg injury, could return to the Braves’ lineup much sooner than anticipated. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Chipper Jones, who the Braves placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, could return in two weeks, much earlier than originally anticipated.

Jones went on the DL with a bruised left leg Saturday, retroactive to Thursday. He told CBS Sports’ Scott Miller on Sunday that “a lot of blood needs to be manipulated to other places” for the leg to heal.

Miller reported Sunday that Jones underwent a procedure in which doctors drained 120 cubic centimeters of blood, which may have shortened his recovery time considerably. Doctors told him that had he not gone through the procedure, it could have been until Labor Day before the blood cleared up in that part of Jones’ leg.

“I feel so much better now,” Jones told CBS before the Braves took on the Nationals Sunday night. “It was throbbing. It was letting me know it with everything that I did.”

So much better, in fact, that Jones said he could return when he is eligible to come off the DL.It’s welcome news for the Braves, who desperately need their star third baseman to make a run to the postseason in the National League. The Braves are in the midst of a six-game losing streak without Jones starting. Overall, the Braves are 19-5 in games when Jones starts, and just 7-17 in games he has not started.

Jones, who is retiring after this season, is hitting .307 this season with five homers and 24 RBI.

Chipper Jones missed his seventh straight game on Friday with a nasty bruise on his lower left leg, and despite optimism earlier in the day from manager Fredi Gonzalez that Jones would be able to return to action, the team announced afterward that Jones would be put on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday.

3B Chipper Jones will be placed on the 15-day disabled list tomorrow (left leg contusion).—
Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 26, 2012

It’s unclear if the 15 days will be retroactive to the first game he missed, or if the Braves expect him to be out for another two weeks.

David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweeted that the Braves are expected to call up a catcher to take Jones’ roster spot.

#braves will DL chipper and call up a catcher from minors—
David O'Brien (@ajcbraves) May 26, 2012

Minor league infielder Drew Sutton has been traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Bill Chastain of MLB.com. It’s his second move in 24 hours — he was just traded from the Atlanta Braves to the Pirates yesterday.

Sutton now goes to the Rays in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. He’s expected to be in uniform tonight when the Rays take on the Toronto Blue Jays.

Sutton, 28, was hitting .270 in 38 games this season for the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves. He has a smattering of big-league experience with the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox; he’s a career .258 hitter.

The Atlanta Braves have signed Felix Pie to a minor league contract, reports Dave O’Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

#Braves have signed free agent OF Felix Pie out of independent leagues and assigned him to Triple-A Gwinnett. Is available tonight vs Toledo

—
David O'Brien (@ajcbraves) May 12, 2012

Pie had been playing with the independent Camden River Sharks this spring; he was hitting an impressive .360. The Braves signed the 27-year-old outfielder and assigned him to Triple-A Gwinnett, where he’ll be available for tonight’s game against Toledo.

Pie, who broke into pro baseball as an undrafted free agent signed by the Chicago Cubs in 2001, has played five major league seasons split between the Cubs and the Baltimore Orioles. He hit .220 for the O’s last year, with zero home runs in 164 at-bats.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens has been solid in two starts since being demoted to Triple-A Gwinnett, but he’s still not ready to return to the major leagues, reports Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120507&content_id=30653904&notebook_id=30653906&vkey=notebook_atl&c_id=atl&partnerId=rss_atl&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

“It wasn’t like he was going down on a rehab assignment or something,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “Without making it sound cruel, he’s a minor league player right now. He’s doing his part. Hopefully, that continues.”

Jurrjens posted a 9.37 ERA in his first four regular-season starts; Braves sent him down to Gwinnett on April 24. He’s been better in two starts down in the minors, posting an ERA of 1.80 and an opponents’ batting average of .176, but it’s not enough to earn him a return trip to Atlanta.

The Braves are looking for Jurrjens to work on the command of his fastball, which has lacked velocity since the young hurler came down with a knee injury toward the end of the 2010 season.

The Atlanta Braves demoted starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens to Triple-A Gwinnett Monday night, according to the Associated Press.

Jurrjens, 26, was an All-Star for the Braves in 2011. In 23 starts the right-handed posted a 13-6 record with a 2.96 ERA. This season, through four starts, he is 0-2 and is leading the National League in earned runs allowed with 17, and home runs allowed with five.

Jurrjens has started at least 20-or-more games each year in the Major Leagues since 2008. In three of his four full Major League seasons he has posted an ERA below 4.00 and at least 10 wins.

Atlanta Braves pitcher, Livan Hernandez, has been ordered by Miami-Dade Circuit Court to have his wages garnished, according to The Washington Times.

Hernandez owes SunTrust Bank $469,387.22 from a line of credit and a promissory note, according to a summary judgment entered against him in October.

Prior to this garnishment the court also ordered Hernandez’s wages to be garnished when he was playing for the Washington Nationals. However, court orders were not followed due to Hernandez’s free agent status during the first order with the Nationals, and subsequently being cut during spring training on a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.

Hernandez has a $750,000 deal with the Braves, which will be drastically affected by the court’s garnishment. This season he has recorded a 4.76 ERA in three appearances.

The Atlanta Braves will retire longtime pitcher John Smoltz’s jersey No. 29 in June, according to Major League Baseball’s official Twitter account.

NO ORDINARY JOHN: @Braves to retire John Smoltz’s No. 29 on June 8.

— MLB (@MLB) April 16, 2012

Smoltz played 20 seasons for the Atlanta Braves posting a 210-147 record with a 3.26 ERA while also collecting 154 saves. He is one of the few pitchers in Major League history to ever win a Cy Young award as a starter and also lead the league in saves.

His best season as a starter came in 1996 when he led the league in wins (24) and strikeouts (276)  while posting a 2.94 ERA. His best year as a reliever came in 2002 when he led the league in saves (55) while posting a 3.25 ERA.

He will join his rotation mate Greg Maddux as one of the seven players who have had their jerseys retired as a member of the Atlanta Braves. Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews, Phil Niekro, Warren Spahn, Dale Murphy, and  Jackie Robinson are the others.

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones is optimistic that he will be able to return to the team by Atlanta’s home opener April 13, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

“Aiming for (April 13), but optimistic that it might be a little sooner than that,” Jones said. “We’ll just have to see how the next week goes.”

Jones, 39, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery just eight days ago. He has already returned to the batting cage.

“I was afraid that the swing might have gone somewhere over the last eight days but if it did slip away it hasn’t slipped too far,” Jones said. “I was very pleased with the way the ball was coming off the bat. I was staying inside the ball, hitting the ball to all fields. And I had no pain, so that’s the most important thing.”

Jones has been a Brave for over two decades — he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1990 draft, and he’s been with the organization ever since. He helped them win a World Series in 1995, and 14 division titles between 1991 and 2005; he was the NL MVP in 1999. Jones’ career numbers so far include a .304 batting average, 454 home runs and 1,561 RBIs.

The Atlanta Braves reliever Cristhian Martinez was arrested early Monday morning in Gwinnett County on DUI charges, according to a tweet from David Obrien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

#Braves reliever Martinez arrested for DUI bit.ly/Hf6oX7

— David O’Brien (@ajcbraves) April 2, 2012

In addition to his arrest for DUI, he was also charged with improper lane change and impeding the flow of traffic.

Martinez, 30,  has secured a spot in the Braves bullpen this spring, which will mark his third season in the Braves organization after appearing in 64 games in the past two seasons. This Spring he has gone 0-0 with a 1.38 ERA in eight appearances. Allowing two runs in 13 innings, with three walks, 13 strikeouts and a .159 batting average.

Last year he posted a 3.36 ERA in 77.2 innings pitched for the Braves.

The Atlanta Braves will sign pitcher Livan Hernandez, who was just released by the Astros earlier on Friday, according to CBS Sports.

Hernandez had a 5.63 ERA in five spring starts for Houston, but the Braves have struggled to fill their fifth starter role, with top prospect Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado failing to step up in Spring Training.

Last season, Hernandez posted a 4.47 ERA in 175 1/3 innings for Washington.

Update (2:56 p.m.): According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hernandez received a major-league contract and his signing has no effect on the fifth starting pitcher spot.

#Braves signed Livan Hernandez to major league contract, will use as long reliever/spot starter. Doesn't affect 5th starter battle.

—
David O'Brien (@ajcbraves) March 30, 2012

One of the iconic players of a generation in baseball is calling it quits — Chipper Jones will retire at the end of this season, the Atlanta Braves just announced.

Chipper Jones has announced he will retire following the 2012 season. Press conference later this morning.

—
Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 22, 2012

Jones turns 40 in a month, but he’s still going strong — the longtime Atlanta third baseman was a National League All-Star for the seventh time last year. He hit .275 with 18 home runs, helping the Braves finish second in the NL East and nearly make the playoffs.

Jones has been a Brave for over two decades — he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1990 draft, and he’s been with the organization ever since. He helped them win a World Series in 1995, and 14 division titles between 1991 and 2005; he was the NL MVP in 1999. Jones’ career numbers so far include a .304 batting average, 454 home runs and 1,561 RBIs.

Jair Jurrjens appears likely to be the Atlanta Braves’ Opening Day starter on April 5 against the New York Mets, according to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

While Braves manager Fredi González hasn’t officially named a starter, he has set a rotation for the team’s Grapefruit League exhibition schedule. Jurrjens is set to start Monday against the Houston Astros in the team’s third game; if he pitches every five days, he would make six exhibition starts and be in line for Opening Day.

It’s long been speculated that either Jurrjens or Tommy Hanson would step in for ace Tim Hudson, who’s recovering from back surgery and will likely miss all of April.

Jurrjens finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2008 and was an All-Star in 2011. He went 13-6 for the Braves last season, putting up a 2.96 ERA in 152 innings.

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman’s knee is feeling better and he is now expected to resume training without missing much if any time, according to a tweet from the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

#Braves 1B Freeman said knee's better today, walking w/out crutches. Will wear brace from now on, doesn't expect to miss much if any time.

—
David O'Brien (@ajcbraves) February 29, 2012

Freeman is even trying to talk his way into the starting line-up for Saturday’s first exhibition game. However, the Braves are more likely to be cautious in order to preserve his health for the majority of the season.

Freeman said he is going to try to talk his way into lineup as soon as Sat.; #Braves likely to be cautious, keep him out least a few days.

—
David O'Brien (@ajcbraves) February 29, 2012

Freeman’s right knee popped out of place at practice yesterday as he reached to pick a low throw at first base. Team doctors first estimated that the first baseman would have to miss several weeks, however a second look has provided a much more optimistic diagnosis.

Last season, Freeman was one of the top candidates for the National League Rookie of the Year award, and in 157 games hit .282 with  76 RBIs, and 21 home runs.

Atlanta Braves first baseman, Freddie Freeman is expected to sit out at least two weeks after injuring his right knee this morning, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

Freeman’s right knee popped out of place as he reached to pick a low throw at first base, Bowman reports.

“I was just doing pick drills and the knee gave out,” Freeman said in an interview with MLB.com. “The kneecap went this way and I came back in. When I did this when I was playing in Triple-A, it took me two weeks.  So that is what we are going on.”

According to Bowman, Freeman does not seem to be concerned about the injury and knows that he will be back on the field  in no time.

Freeman began last season as the starting first baseman for the Braves, and was mentioned as a strong candidate for Rookie of the year after he improved greatly throughout the season. In 157 games hit .282 with  76 RBIs, and 21 home runs.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones confronted internet rumors yesterday that he had gained weight over the offseason.

“I’m also fat now, from what I hear,” Jones told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. ““I’m a little worried, this is the first time I’ve ever been called fat.”

Thing is, I’m seven pounds lighter than I’ve ever been in camp, and now I’m fat,” Jones said. “I weigh 226, 227. Usually I’m 235.”

Rumors had circulated that the 39-year-old All-Star had gotten “fat” after an Associated Press photographer published an unflattering image of Jones wearing a baggy shirt. According to Jones’ defenders, the photo looked like he had gained mass around his midsection because it was a windy day and he was wearing a loose fitting shirt.

You can see the photo here.

The 39-year-old hit .275/.344/.470 last season with 18 home runs and 70 RBI. Over the course of his career, he has hit .304/.402/.533 with 454 home runs and 2387 hits.

Starting pitcher Tommy Hanson will rest for the next 48-hours before resuming spring training with the Atlanta Braves, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Hanson was involved in a car accident and suffered a minor concussion yesterday prior to reporting to camp.

Hanson will be evaluated after resting for 48 hours. Should still be on schedule if he can return by this weekend or early next week.

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) February 21, 2012

Hanson reported to the stadium immediately after the accident, according to Bowman, but later left to the hospital to get a more thorough evaluation.

The 25-year-old, is considered one of the top young starting pitchers in baseball. Last season in 22 starts he posted a 11-7 record with a 3.60 ERA. In 130 innings pitched, he struck out 142 batters. Over the course of his three-year career he has posted a 33-22 record with a 3.28 ERA.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tommy Hanson was reportedly involved in a car accident early this morning, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

Tommy Hanson was involved in an auto accident around 7 am. He came to the stadium and then chose to go to the hospital for evaluation.

—
Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) February 20, 2012

Hanson's accident was a 1-car accident. Blew a tire and bumped his head. They checked for possible concussion. No word yet. #Braves

—
Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) February 20, 2012

#Braves still have not learned whether Hanson was diagnosed w/ a concussion after being sent to an area doctor.

—
Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) February 20, 2012

Hanson reported to the stadium after the accident, according to Bowman, but later left to the hospital to get a more thorough evaluation.

Hanson, 25, is considered one of the top young starting pitchers in baseball. Last season in 22 starts he posted a 11-7 record with a 3.60 ERA. In 130 innings pitched, he struck out 142 batters. Over the course of his three-year career he has posted a 33-22 record with a 3.28 ERA.

Tim Hudson is still on the mend from the back surgery he underwent on Nov. 28, but the veteran hurler is confident he can return to the Atlanta Braves by May.

“Me getting back for the start of the season was never really a possibility, just from a timeline standpoint,” Hudson told MLB.com. “The kind of surgery I had is a three-to-sixth-month deal. Five months puts me at May 1.”

Hudson underwent surgery in Atlanta to fuse the L5/S1 disk in his back. He says he’s now recovering his strength and is able to do some of the simple things that previously pained him, like putting on his shoes.

Hudson’s temporary absence may make room for youngsters Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado to vie for a spot in the Braves’ starting rotation this season.

The 36-year-old righty Hudson went 16-10 with a 3.22 ERA for the Braves last season. He’s entering the final season of a three-year, $28 million contract in Atlanta.

Atlanta Braves mainstay Chipper Jones is preparing for his 19th season in the major, and he hinted Tuesday that it may not be his last.

“As long as I stay healthy and I’m having fun, I’m going to keep going,” he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I sit here with three weeks to go before spring training and I’m not ready to say this is it.”

Jones, 40, is entering his final year of his contract, with a club option in 2013. He still feels that he can contribute at the plate, especially after an offensive resurgence last season which saw him stroke 33 doubles with an .814 on-base percentage.

“I still feel that I can go out and play a solid third base, which I did last year,” Jones told the paper. “And I still feel like I can be productive in the middle of the lineup. If it’s the 3-hole or the 5-hole or the 6-hole — it doesn’t bother me where I hit.”

Veteran infielder Julio Lugo has been on the decline for the better part of a half-decade, but he’s not out of baseball just yet. Dionisio Soldevila of the AP reports that Lugo has signed a minor league contract with the Indians.

Julio Lugo signed a minor league contract with the Indians with an invitation to Spring Training with the big league club

—
Dionisio Soldevila (@dSoldevila) January 22, 2012

Lugo saw very limited playing time for the Braves last year, making just 48 plate appearances in 22 games. He had a .136 batting average when he was finally released on Sept. 2.

It’s doubtful that the Indians’ big-league roster will have room for Lugo, who turned 36 in November. The Tribe is well-stocked with a trio of solid middle infielders in Asdrubal Cabrera, Jason Donald and Jason Kipnis.

Lugo has played 12 major league seasons split across seven different teams. He has a career average of .269 and 198 stolen bases.

The Atlanta Braves and relief pitcher Peter Moylan have agreed to a one-year deal worth $1 million, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Moylan signed a minor-league deal with #Braves that will pay $1 mill prorated for time in majors, plus incentives.—
David O'Brien (@ajcbraves) January 17, 2012

Moylan, who is returning from shoulder surgery, will start in the minors with an invitation to spring training.

The 33-year-old Australian appeared in only 13 games a season ago, but he was effective out of the bullpen the prior two seasons, recording back-to-back years with 20 holds or better.

The Atlanta Braves have reached a one-year, $6.845 million deal with Michael Bourn to avoid arbitration, according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.

Michael Bourn avoids arb with Braves, $6,845,000

—
  (@DKnobler) January 17, 2012

Bourn, 29, is in his final season of arbitration before he can become a free-agent next winter. The former All-Star led the National League in plate appearances and stolen bases this year while hitting .294/.349/.386 with 94 runs in 158 games between the Braves and the Houston Astros.

In 2010, Bourn was named to his first All-Star team after hitting .265/.341/.346 with 84 runs scored and 52 stolen bases in 141 games played.

The two-time Gold Glove award winner has led the National Leauge in stolen bases each of the past three years.

The Baltimore Orioles have declined a proposed trade by the Atlanta Braves for outfielder Adam Jones, The Baltimore Sun reports.

The Braves reportedly offered Jair Jurrjens, Martin Prado and a pitching prospect in exchange for Jones but the Orioles declined, indicating the O’s high opinion of their 26-year-old outfielder. Despite starting last season on the DL, Jurrjens was selected for his first All-Star game. Prado was selected to the All-Star game in 2010.

Last season proved to be a breakout year for Jones, who hit 25 home runs, stole 12 bases and collected 83 RBIs. Last season, Jones posted a .280 average.

Jones has played with Baltimore since 2008 and in that span has amassed 72 home runs and 111 RBIs.

The Atlanta Braves are reportedly opposing Disney’s attempt to register the word “Brave” as a trademark, according to USA Today.

Disney is attempting to register the word in conjunction with the release of their next Disney Pixar movie, which will be titled “Brave.” The Braves, however, are contesting that the general public could confuse the upcoming children’s movie with the baseball team.

The new film will reportedly take place in Scotland, according to USA today, and will tell the story of a princess who is handy with the bow and arrow.

The baseball franchise, originally recognized as the Cincinnati Red Stockings, have been known as the Braves since 1912 when they were still located in Boston. After a 12-year-long stop in Milwaukee, the Braves settled in their current home, Atlanta, in 1966.

Atlanta Braves starter Tim Hudson had back surgery Monday to repair a herniated disk, according to Craig Calcaterra of NBC Sports.  Hudson is expected to be ready for spring training.

“Based on today’s procedure, we are happy that this will help alleviate some of the discomfort that Tim felt,” said Braves general manager Frank Wren. “The prognosis is positive for him to be ready for Spring Training and to be able to pitch during the Spring Training schedule.”

Hudson, 36, was 16-10 with a 3.22 ERA in 215 innings last season for Atlanta.

The Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves have been in discussions about Braves’ starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens, but those talks stalled Friday, according to the Kansas City Star. Though Atlanta is willing to deal both Jurrjens and infielder Martin Prado, Kansas City is not willing to agree on which prospects will be sent off in exchange.

The Braves sought minor league outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Wil Myers for Prado and Jurrjens. Kansas City is not concerned with sending Cain, but Myers, 20, is a different story, the paper reported. He was recently chosen as the organization’s best prospect.

Jurrjens was 13-6 a year ago for Atlanta, with a 2.96 ERA. Prado struggled at the plate, reaching base at only a .302 clip. The acquisition of both players would boost the Royals’ payroll by approximately $10 million.