Maddux Chips Bone in Wrist

The injury bug bit the Atlanta Braves again Saturday, and it may cost their best pitcher a start.

Sixteen-game winner Greg Maddux chipped a bone in his pitching wrist when he tumbled to the ground trying to catch a foul ball Saturday against San Diego, and he arrived to Sunday’s game at Turner Field wearing a brace on his right wrist.

Despite the ominous sound of the injury, the Braves don’t believe it’s serious at this point. General Manager John Schuerholz described it as a “small chip of a small bone in his wrist.”

Maddux (16-6) was scheduled to make his next start Friday in St. Louis, but he could skip that outing without seriously hampering the Brave pitching plans. Since the team is off Thursday, fifth starter Terry Mulholland could come back against the Cardinals on four days’ rest.

During spring training, Atlanta lost leading hitter Andres Galarraga (cancer) and closer Kerry Ligtenberg (elbow). Then, catcher Javy Lopez (knee) and pitcher Odalis Perez (elbow) suffered season-ending injuries. Also, starter John Smoltz has been hampered by a sore elbow all season, prompting him to alter his delivery.

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Ron Peters, the man who said he was Pete Rose’s bookmaker, intends to resume the career that led to his serving time in prison, but plans to choose clients more carefully, he told the Cincinnati Enquirer. Tuesday is the 10-year anniversary of Rose’s banishment from baseball.

Peters helped authorities build their case against the career hit leader, saying Rose bet on baseball, including his own team, the Cincinnati Reds.

Peters recently completed a jail sentence for grand theft of a friend’s car. He also served concurrent two-year sentences at a federal prison in Terre Haute, Ind., for tax and drug trafficking convictions.