ATLANTA -- Having dealt with plenty of injuries this season, the Atlanta Braves vowed to move on after losing Jason Heyward. The outfielder had surgery Thursday on his broken right jaw after being struck by a pitch. The team has not said how long he will be out, but he could miss the rest of the regular season. Atlanta has a commanding lead in the NL East and hopes Heyward will recover in time for the playoffs. "We lost a big piece, but teams lose that a lot of times," manager Fredi Gonzalez said in St. Louis, where the Braves began a four-game series against the Cardinals. "Weve got plenty of candidates." Dr. Glenn Maron operated on Heyward in Atlanta, one day after he was injured in New York against the Mets. Plates were inserted in both places where the jaw was fractured -- along the right side and near the chin. "We havent talked time frame," Gonzalez said. "It wasnt wired shut. Thats a good thing." Before his injury, Heyward had become one of the Braves hottest hitters. He was batting .253 with 13 homers and 37 RBIs. Plus, hes one of baseballs top defensive outfielders. "Hes a tough one to replace," Gonzalez conceded. The loss of Heyward is the latest in a staggering string of injuries for the Braves this season, even while building a 15-game lead before the series in St. Louis. Already, the Braves have lost six players to season-ending operations, including starting pitcher Tim Hudson and key relievers Eric OFlaherty and Jonny Venters. "Weve just got to find a way to pick up where he left off," centre fielder B.J. Upton said. "Weve got the personnel to fill in and pick up the slack." Heyward got off to a slow start this season, his struggles heightened by an emergency appendectomy in late April. But he sparked the offence after moving to the top of the batting order last month, filling a role that had been a major problem. "You just dont replace an outfield piece like that," said utilityman Evan Gattis, who likely will take on a bigger role. "Its a big loss. Well battle it out and see what happens." The Braves have relied largely on stellar pitching to carry them to the top of the division, ranking second in the league in ERA (3.18) before they faced the Cardinals. Upton and second baseman Dan Uggla are in the midst of dreadful seasons, both hitting under .200. Uggla is on the disabled list recovering from laser eye surgery. Outfielder Reid Johnson is also on the DL with an Achilles tendon injury and the Braves arent sure when hell return. Barring a trade, the Braves will have to get by with a makeshift lineup. In Thursday nights game, the Braves went with Jordan Schafer in the leadoff spot and playing centre field, started Gattis in left and shifted Justin Upton to Heywards spot in right. B.J. Upton did not start. Also, the Braves claimed infielder Elliot Johnson off waivers from Kansas City, reinstated pitcher Paul Maholm from the disabled list and optioned infielder Phil Gosselin back to Triple-A Gwinnett. Johnson started against the Cardinals. "Well just all have to step up," Justin Upton said. "We know what we have to do." Calle Rosen Jersey . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. Darryl Sittler Jersey . That left plenty of energy for pitching books and swatting away free agency questions. Anthony had 24 points and nine rebounds, and the Knicks avenged an embarrassing home loss with a rout of their own, beating the Boston Celtics 114-88 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory. http://www.shopmapleleafsonline.com/Maple-Leafs-Connor-Brown-Adidas-Jersey/ . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. Joffrey Lupul Jersey . Pedro scored from a pass by Lionel Messi in the 33rd minute and added two more goals in the 47th and 72nd after Valdes saved his second penalty in four days following his stop in Wednesdays 4-0 over Ajax in the Champions League. Jake Gardiner Jersey . LUCIE, Fla. PHILADELPHIA -- Daniel Dingle scored a career-high 22 points and Obi Enechionyia and Shizz Alston Jr. had 17 points apiece and Temple defeated Manhattan 88-67 on Sunday in the NIT Season Tip-Off.Quinton Rose hit all five of his shots and scored 14 points for the Owls (2-2), who shot 53.4 percent (31 for 58). Enechionyia had seven rebounds, Alston had five assists and Dingle made 9-of-10 free throws as Temple went 19 of 22 from the line.Zavier Turner hit five 3-pointers and scored 24 points for the Jasperrs (1-3).dddddddddddd Manhattan shot 38.7 percent from the field (24 of 62), made 10 of 17 from the line and had 22 turnovers. Zane Waterman added 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting. The Jaspers trailed by 19 at the half.Owl greats Don Shields and Mike Meyer Bloom (both Class of 1938), Terence Stansbury (1984) and Pepe Sanchez (2000) were inducted into the Ring of Honor at halftime. China NFL Jerseys White Cheap NFL Autographed Jerseys Black China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys From China Black China NFL Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Wholesale NFL Camo Jerseys ' ' '