Chipper Jones, who missed 44 games with various injuries last season, gave the Atlanta Braves another scare Monday.

The veteran third baseman left a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals after spraining his left ankle attempting to run out a ground ball in the first inning at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla.

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones hasn't played more than 137 games since the 2003 season.
(Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press)

Jones hit a grounder to first base but ran only part of the way to the bag on the play. He moved slowly back to the dugout, then did not emerge when the Braves took the field at the bottom of the inning.

Utility player Pete Orr took Jones's place at third base and in the No. 3 spot in the Braves' batting order.

Jones, who is listed as day-to-day, hasn't played more than 137 games since the 2003 campaign. Last season, the 34-year-old missed time with injuries to his right ankle, right foot, rib cage, left side and toe.

A .222 hitter this spring, Jones is coming off a 2006 season in which he averaged .324 in 110 games with 26 home runs and 86 runs batted in.

Atlanta opens the 2007 campaign April 2 at Philadelphia against the Phillies.

With files from Sports Network