Braves’ Jones is hit below the eye

Atlanta’s Chipper Jones, the major leagues’ leading hitter with a .414 average, was scratched from the Braves’ lineup 25 minutes before Friday’s game after being hit below the left eye with a ball during batting practice.

He was taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Orange for a CT scan, which proved negative. He is listed as day-to-day.

Jones was struck by a ball he hit off the crossbar of the batting cage, immediately dropping to one knee in pain. Two trainers rushed to his aid, helping Jones back to the Braves’ clubhouse where he was treated for a contusion before being taken to the hospital for further tests.

Jones, who also leads the majors in on-base percentage (.500) and hits (94), sat out a game earlier this week with a small tear in his right quadriceps. He has also missed time this season with back spasms and a tight hamstring and until Friday the Braves had not won with Jones out of the lineup.

Omar Infante took Jones’ place at third base Friday.

Upon further review

Major League Baseball, which had been debating the use of limited instant replay during the Arizona Fall League later this year, is now discussing the possibility of using video to help umpires this summer, according to USA Today. And for the Angels’ Torii Hunter, the experiment is both inevitable and alarming.

“You want to get all these calls right. [But] I think it’s a slap in the face for the umpires,” he said. “You’re opening the doors for everything else. Later on, you got instant replay, next year there’ll be something else. They’re going to have robots playing in a minute.”

Draft picks sign

The Angels signed right-hander pitcher Tyler Chatwood, their top pick in last week’s draft, bringing to 27 the number of selections who have agreed to terms with the team.

“We did a good job of researching it,” said Angels scouting director Eddie Bane. “Those guys can get their careers started this year instead of waiting until next year like those signs who sign [in] August.”

The Angels, who did not have a first-round pick, took Chatwood in the second round, the 74th selection overall. He was 9-1 with a 1.05 earned-run average at East Valley High in Redlands this spring.

“I’m getting ready to get out and play. The quicker you get it done the quicker you get out and play and improve yourself,” said Chatwood, who had signed a letter of intent with UCLA but will instead report to the Angels’ minor league facility in Tempe, Ariz., on Tuesday. “I’m excited to get it done.”

Terms of Chatwood’s contract were not released, but last year’s 74th pick, college outfielder Grant Desme, received a $432,000 signing bonus from Oakland.

Among the Angels draft selections still unsigned are third-round pick Zach Cone, fifth-rounder Khiry Cooper and 11th-round selection Rolando Gomez.

Escobar, Aybar progressing

Right-hander Kelvim Escobar, out all season with a torn muscle in his shoulder, felt good after throwing 45 pitches off the bullpen mound Friday. If Escobar, who did not throw any breaking pitches, feels no pain over the next few days, he will throw another bullpen session Tuesday. . . . Infielder Erick Aybar, sidelined since May 21 with a dislocated right pinkie, hit and took ground balls before the game and could be sent out a minor league rehab assignment shortly.

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kevin.baxter@latimes.com