Chipper Jones got a hit to the heart this Thursday when he found out that he’ll miss the rest of this MLB season. Although he was planning to retire after this season, it is safe to say that he is more than disappointed that he’ll have to miss due to an injury that he sustained to his left knee, specifically he has a torn ACL. The torn ligament was determined on Thursday when he underwent an MRI exam to determine the extent of the injury and it definitely wasn’t good news for anyone.

The good news not only blasted Jones and his family but also the Braves. Jones has been improving a lot over the past couple months and was a huge force of wind in the lineup for Atlanta, who the 18-year veteran has played with for a total of 17 career seasons and manager Bobby Cox.

The torn ACL injury to his left knee is the same exact injury that he sustained back in the 1994 MLB season. He is likely finished playing ball, which isn’t necessarily a huge blow since he was planning on retiring after this season but he would have liked to finish this last season out to the end.

While 38-year-old Chipper may decide not to retire after this season, he is still up for about a six-month rehab on his knee. He has a contract that is worth a salary of $14 million in both 2011 as well as 2012. While he may continue his contract next season and put aside the decision to retire, he is keeping his options open. He says that when his play becomes less than great that he’ll likely retire at that time.

But what will Chipper do? This injury is going to play a huge role into his decision of retirement and he’ll also have to consider that Cox already made an official announcement that the six-time All-Star will be retiring at the end of this season.

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