A day after the Atlanta Braves wrapped up a three-game set against the Philadelphia Philles, the team traveled to Colorado to take on the Rockies for the first time this season. However, it won't be the only first of the season for the club; for the first time all year, Chipper Jones will be playing the day after a long plane ride.
After having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee on March 26, Jones has experienced discomfort and swelling in his knee after plane rides, which has forced the 40-year old vet to miss games. On Friday, Jones experienced only minimal swelling and was feeling increasingly better than previous times after a day of travel, which he attributes to his rehab and strength program.
In addition, Jones is excited about the prospects of batting in the two-hole after batting in the sixth position for the majority of the season. Via the Atlanta Journal Constitution's website:
"I got kind of misty – get to hit in the first inning," Jones said of seeing his name in the second spot in the lineup. "Forgot what that feels like."
Jones isn't the only one happy to see his name in the lineup card tonight; the Braves are 11-2 when he starts and 4-9 when he is out of the lineup.
For more on the Braves, check out Talking Chop. Rockies fans should check out Purple Row. And for all things baseball related, Baseball Nation is the place for you.