Chipper Jones to have knee surgery

Lake Buena Vista FL – Chipper Jones will start his final season recovering from knee surgery.

The Atlanta Braves said the veteran third baseman will undergo a procedure on Monday to have torn meniscus in his left knee repaired. He is expected to be sidelined for three weeks and could return for the Braves' home opener on April 13.

Just two days ago, Jones said the 2012 season will be his last.

Jones will turn 40 next month and has battled some injury issues the past few years. When in the lineup, however, he has still been productive as his 18 homers, 70 runs batted in and .275 batting average from 2011 illustrate.