Did Chipper Jones Catch the Oblique Disease from Mike Hampton?

Obliques aren't contagious, but misery can be. The Braves are going to need, among other things, a big season out of Chipper Jones if they're going to take back what they feel is their birth right: the National League East division title. But Chipper has battled injuries this spring ... he's already on his second injury. First it was an ankle. Now it's a sore oblique that caused him to be scratched from Friday night's game against St. Louis.

Mike Hampton is out until possibly June with his oblique injury. Albert Pujols missed significant time with his oblique injury last season (and it probably cost him the MVP award). So Bobby Cox is taking no chances when it comes to Chipper.

"I'll sit him until he feels nothing," said manager Bobby Cox, who didn't have any idea how long that might be. "I'm going to make sure it doesn't hurt, if it takes the rest of the spring."

Chipper's at that age now where injuries are going to be a constant concern. I know it's hard to imagine a grown man being referred to as "Chipper", but Jones is going to be 35 in late April. Many have had great seasons at the age of 35 (look at Jim Thome and Jeff Bagwell, for example), but they've been healthy. Nagging injuries could make the difference between a productive Chipper, and a shell of his former self.