NL Wire Notes | Smoltz, Jones meet, make up after comments

Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox arranged and attended a meeting between John Smoltz and Chipper Jones on Sunday, one day after Jones accused the pitcher of questioning his integrity.

Jones said hitting coach Terry Pendleton also attended the meeting, and Jones said he apologized to Smoltz.

"Obviously there was a misunderstanding," Jones said Sunday. "I apologized to him for my comments in yesterday's interviews. He assured me he wasn't singling me out. That was it."

Jones did not play in Friday's loss to Detroit because of a groin injury. After taking the loss in the game, Smoltz said, "You can't worry about who's in the lineup and who isn't. You can't worry about that stuff anymore."

Added Smoltz: "I certainly appreciate the effort of the guys who are on the field busting it."

Smoltz didn't mention Jones, but Jones said Saturday he felt he was the target of the comments.

"I'd be stupid if I didn't take it the same way," Jones said Saturday.

On Sunday, Smoltz called the incident a "total misunderstanding."

"It's over with and there won't be a problem the rest of the time we're teammates," Smoltz said. He did not answer any questions.

Chicago: Closer Ryan Dempster was unavailable to pitch and likely will not be used today against the Rockies because of a strained oblique. Manager Lou Piniella said he will use RHP Bob Howry in Dempster's role. Howry pitched a scoreless ninth in Saturday and Sunday's games for his first two saves of the season.

Houston: 1B Lance Berkman was back in the lineup after missing Saturday's game with a bruised left hand. Before missing Saturday, Berkman was the only player who had played in every Lone Star Series game against the Texas Rangers, 40 in a row.

Milwaukee: 1B Prince Fielder was not in the lineup for just the second game this season. He came in as a pinch-hitter in the ninth but stuck out swinging, and ended the game striking out in the 11th.

St. Louis: Brad Thompson's status as a starter is in flux after throwing 31 pitches in 1-2/3 innings of relief Sunday in taking the loss to Philadelphia. Recently acquired Mike Maroth took what would normally be Thompson's spot in the rotation today at New York, and Thompson is not listed as a probable starter for any of the four games against the Mets.

San Francisco: CF Dave Roberts was scratched from the Giants starting lineup because of food poisoning, manager Bruce Bochy announced.

Washington: Nationals SS Cristian Guzman and reliever Jesus Colome were placed on the 15-day disabled list. Guzman sprained his left thumb in the fifth inning while tagging out Josh Barfield at second base on a steal attempt. Washington also acquired Levale Speigner from Minnesota in a trade that reunites the right-hander with his former team, and activated Jason Bergmann from the DL.

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