Brian Jordan says that Chipper Jones doesn't work out enough - MLB

Chipper Jones swing.jpg Former Braves outfielder Brian Jordan was on Sirius/XM with Jim Bowden and Casey Stern today, and the subject of Chipper Jones’ health came up. Stern asked Jordan if Chipper’s recent oblique injury suggested that he is “done.” Jordan’s answer was interesting:

Jordan: “Well, I mean, he leaves you scratching your head because, you know, it’s been a problem, especially his obliques the last couple years, and I think he just doesn’t think he’s aging. (laughs) As you get older, you’ve got to work out a little harder to prevent injury and I’m not sure if he’s really dedicating himself, his body, to doing that because I was really surprised to see that oblique injury pop up so early this season. Because he said he worked out, he got himself in better shape but, you know, I know the fans, I know myself, you know, we’re all scratching our heads and we’re just crossing our fingers that he can stay healthy . . .

Bowden: “So, Brian, you think that he’s getting hurt because he’s not working out hard enough and staying in shape at his age?”

Jordan: “Uh, you know what, I really believe so. I think at some point when you start getting older, you really have to do the extra things. You’ve got to get in that whirlpool, you’ve got to stretch, and really work hard to keep your flexibility before you get out there on the field. And I’m not sure if he’s dedicating himself to doing that.

Look, I have no idea if Chipper Jones works out enough or not, but given that Brian Jordan’s last four seasons consisted of 66, 61, 76 and 48 games due to a metric crap-ton of nagging injuries, I’m not sure he is the guy to be calling Jones out here. By all accounts Brian Jordan was a workout freak, and he was a walking M*A*S*H unit. Is it not possible that Jones, like Jordan, is just one of those guys who is susceptible to injuries?

And yes, I have personal feelings on this matter. If it wasn’t for Brian Jordan’s nagging injuries in 2005, Jeff Francoeur likely wouldn’t have been called up when he was, which would have either (a) given him more time to learn in AAA; or (b) kept him out of Atlanta long enough for the Braves to realize that he was not, in fact, the second coming.

Either way, I look forward to hearing Chipper Jones’ response to all of this. Because he’s not usually one to mince words.

SAN DIEGO — The scuffling San Diego Padres claimed catcher Gary Sánchez off waivers from the New York Mets.

The two-time All-Star was designated for assignment after playing in three games for the Mets. He went 1 for 6 with three strikeouts and an RBI, looking shaky at times behind the plate.

With the disappointing Padres (24-29) getting meager offensive production at catcher, they hope Sánchez can provide a boost. Austin Nola is batting .131 with three extra-base hits and a paltry .434 OPS in 39 games. His part-time platoon partner, second-stringer Brett Sullivan, is hitting .170 with four extra-base hits and a .482 OPS in 21 games since getting called up from the minors April 16.

Luis Campusano has been on the injured list since April 17 and is expected to be sidelined until around the All-Star break following left thumb surgery.

San Diego is responsible for just over $1 million in salary for Sánchez after assuming his $1.5 million, one-year contract.

The star-studded Padres have lost seven of 11 and are 3-3 on a nine-game East Coast trip. They open a three-game series at Miami.

San Diego becomes the third National League team to take a close look at the 30-year-old Sánchez this season. He spent time in the minors with San Francisco before getting released May 2 and signing a minor league contract a week later with the Mets, who were minus a couple of injured catchers at the time.

After hitting well in a short stint at Triple-A Syracuse, he was promoted to the big leagues May 19. When the Mets reinstated catcher Tomás Nido from the injured list last week, Sánchez was cut.

Sánchez’s best seasons came early in his career with the New York Yankees, where he was runner-up in 2016 AL Rookie of the Year voting and made the AL All-Star team in 2017 and 2019.

He was traded to Minnesota before the 2022 season and batted .205 with 16 homers and 61 RBIs in 128 games last year.

With the Padres, Sánchez could also be a candidate for at-bats at designated hitter, where 42-year-old Nelson Cruz is batting .245 with three homers, 16 RBIs and a .670 OPS, and 37-year-old Matt Carpenter is hitting .174 with four homers, 21 RBIs and a .652 OPS.