News-Record.com

Braves slugger Chipper Jones strained his left hamstring running out a ground ball in the fourth inning against Florida and left the game Wednesday night.

The third baseman grabbed the back of his thigh after crossing first base. A trainer came out to check on him and, after about a minute, Jones limped to the dugout.

He was 0-for-2 with an RBI and a walk, dropping his major league-leading average to .369. The Braves are off today, and they said Jones will be re-evaluated Friday before the start of a three-game series at Philadelphia.

Jones has been hampered by right thigh, groin and back injuries this season, but hasn't been on the disabled list. The Braves are struggling to stay in the NL East race, and they're 2-10 in games he has missed.

ATHLETICS: The Oakland Athletics' 16-year-old pitching prospect Michael Inoa of the Dominican Republic has ties to a sports bookie in his native country, according to a report. SI.com reported Tuesday that former catcher Edgar Mercedes opened a baseball academy for top Dominican players financed from his work as a sports bookie, marketing those prospects to major league clubs and even helping negotiate Inoa's contract with agent Adam Katz. Earlier this month, Inoa agreed to a minor league contract with a $4.25 million signing bonus -- an A's record for the signing of an amateur player.

GIANTS: The San Francisco Giants recalled catcher Steve Holm from Triple-A Fresno to be Bengie Molina's backup. Current backup Eliezer Alfonzo was told after Tuesday night's game with Washington that he would be optioned back to Fresno.

ROCKIES: Colorado second baseman Jayson Nix was picked to round out the U.S. baseball team headed to the Beijing Olympics. The Rockies optioned Nix to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Saturday so he'd be eligible to play in the Olympics.

PADRES: The San Diego Padres purchased the contract of left-hander Wil Ledezma from Triple-A Portland, replacing traded pitcher Randy Wolf on the roster.