Shortstop Yunel Escobar returned to the lineup Monday, but Cox said third baseman Chipper Jones' re-injured quadriceps injury would likely keep him out of the lineup for the entire three-game series against the Brewers. Jones missed his third consecutive start Monday.

"He's not ready," manager Bobby Cox said. "You never know with Chip — he could come in one day and say, 'I'm in no matter what.' "

But Cox indicated that the more likely scenario for Jones was this: "He could DH in Toronto, which means he misses these three [against the Brewers]."

The Braves will use the designated hitter for the three-game interleague series that starts Friday. Jones' average slipped from .420 to .393 since he sustained a small tear in the quad muscle June 7.

He reinjured it Friday while scoring from second base on a teammate's single. He said Monday was the first day his condition improved since then, but that he wasn't ready to play yet.

Escobar missed two starts with a strained hip flexor.

Prado, Kotsay updates

Center fielder Mark Kotsay will begin a minor league injury-rehab assignment Tuesday with Class AA Mississippi and could be activated by the Braves when the next homestand begins July 1 against Philadelphia.

He hit .294 with four homers and 21 RBIs in 47 games before being sidelined May 26 with a bulging disk in his lower back. He had surgery on a different disk in March 2007.

After two frustrating weeks without progress, Kotsay made significant strides in the past week and has taken batting practice and done plenty of running and throwing since Saturday.

Cox said infielder Martin Prado could also begin an injury-rehab assignment this weekend.

Prado has missed six weeks recovering from a partially tore a left-thumb ligament. The utility infielder hit .282 with five extra-base hits and a .383 on-base percentage in 39 at-bats before he was hurt sliding head-first at first base.

Pitching updates

There have been no new developments with DL'd closer Rafael Soriano, whose right elbow is still sore when he throws. Cox said there was no timetable for his return.

Left-hander Mike Hampton will probably need "four or five more starts" on his minor league rehab assignment, Cox said. The veteran has been on the DL all season after injuring, then reinjuring, the pectoral muscle on the left side of his chest.