Jordan Schafer’s loss was Gregor Blanco’s gain, as Blanco got a second chance to secure the center-field job he lost in spring training.

Blanco, who was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett and inserted in the starting lineup against the Cubs Tuesday night, never seemed to get a foothold in the center-field race during spring training. He spent much of the spring playing — and playing well — for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. But by the time he got back, Schafer had all but beaten out Josh Anderson for the job.

Blanco was sent to Gwinnett out of spring training and struggled from the outset. But after a conversation with Gwinnett hitting coach Jamie Dismuke two weeks ago, Blanco said things changed.

He hit .348 (16-for-46) with eight RBIs in his past 12 games to raise his season average to .242.

“I wasn’t trusting myself at all,” Blanco said. “I just said I’ve got to do it for my son [3-year-old Grenyer], my family and my girlfriend and even for me. They all believe in me. And I started hitting well, and I’m back here again.”

Blanco spent the entire season with Atlanta last year, his first full season in the majors, hitting .251 with 19 extra-base hits and 38 RBIs in 144 games.

The letdown after not making the team this spring was natural, Braves general manager Frank Wren said.

“He was in a difficult situation, as much time as he spent up here last year,” Wren said. “… But to his credit, talking to [Gwinnett manager] Dave Brundage, he never stopped working, he never pouted, and he really started playing well.”

Health updates

• Chipper Jones said with the off day Monday and vigorous treatment on the recent road trip, he has seen improvement in his sprained right toe. Jones, who missed a start Saturday because the toe bothered him more batting right-handed, might start tonight against left-hander Ted Lilly.

“It actually feels a little better today,” Jones said before Tuesday’s game. “We’ll see how it goes today, trying to simulate some game situations [right-handed], see if I’ve got any juice, I’m able to push off. If not, just kind of play it by ear.”

• First baseman Casey Kotchman still is likely several days from getting back from his right shin contusion. He was on crutches Monday and still sore Tuesday, Braves manager Bobby Cox said.

“It’s day-to-day,” Cox said. “We’ll see how it goes.”