Chipper Jones to Yankees: 'No thanks'

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TAMPA, Fla., March 11 (UPI) -- Former Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones said Monday he's not coming out of retirement to play for the injury-plagued New York Yankees.

Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman told reporters Monday at team's spring training home in Tampa, Fla., he'd be interested in talking to the likely future Hall of Famer about a spot on the team.

But Jones, who retired last season after 19 years with the Braves, indicated via Twitter he wasn't about to put the cleats on again.

"Enough with the rumors! While I am flattered about the speculation of being enticed out of retirement, I'm happy with life as a bad golfer!" Jones wrote.

Cashman said he has been reaching out to a variety of veteran players for help after the Yankees lost regular first baseman Mark Teixeira for 10 weeks with a strained wrist tendon, The New York Times reported.

The GM also said he has asked former Chicago Cubs and Florida Marlins star Derrek Lee if he'd be willing to come out of retirement, but isn't optimistic the former left-handed slugger would accept.