Chipper Jones, who hit his 400th homer Thursday night and is batting .418 in early June, is enjoying a career resurgence — at age 36.

The Braves third baseman looks as if he might be able to play a while longer, and Jones said that's his intention.

"I don't think there's any reason I can't play through 40," he said, "long as I don't let my body go — which is not going to happen. I'm too active year-round to let my body go.

"My desire to stick around and play four, five, six more years is strong. I want to accomplish some things here, put up some numbers here as long as the Braves want me."

He leads the majors in average, on-base percentage (.498), hits (89) and multi-hit games (29), and leads the Braves with 14 homers and 39 RBIs.

And to think, he seemed to be on his last legs a few years back.

When Jones restructured his contract after the 2005 season, reducing his $17 million salary to $11 million in 2006 and turning two $15 million vesting options in 2007 and '08 into $11 million guaranteed seasons, it was a deal that helped both sides. It freed up money for the Braves to try to re-sign Rafael Furcal (that didn't work) and gave Jones security at a time when he was dealing with frequent health issues, particularly foot problems.

Jones' $12.3 average annual salary over three seasons (including prorated portions of the $4 million bonus when he restructured) doesn't put him near the top bracket of major-league salaries.

There are at least 17 players with average salaries of $17 million or more in current multi-year deals. Jones will make about $11 million in 2009 in a vesting-option year.

Provided he's healthy, Jones could expect to command far more as a free agent after next season on the open market. Consider: Since June 24, 2006, he hit .364 in his past 240 games before Thursday, with 69 doubles, six triples, 61 homers and 191 RBI.

The Braves have a 134-106 record in games he played during that period, and a 29-41 record in games he did not.

A team such as Houston or Texas (he has a ranch in that state) might try to entice him with a big free-agent offer. But Jones said if the Braves want him and make a fair offer, he'll stay.

He said he's not looking for the biggest deal he can get. He wants to retire a Brave. He never so much as suggests he's underpaid.

"I'm never going to turn my nose up at $11 million," he said. "I understand that I've had the luxury of playing in the same place for a long time, for the same manager. I made my money."

Falco new strength-and-conditioning coach

Phil Falco got the coaching version of a big-league call-up when he was promoted from the minors to replace longtime Braves strength-and-conditioning coach Frank Fultz.

The Braves are being tight-lipped about why Fultz, 56, was replaced this week, an unusual midseason move for the organization. Fultz was in his 17th season on manager Bobby Cox's staff.

"I don't want to talk about it," Cox said of Fultz's abrupt exit.

Falco, 35, has served as Braves minor-league strength-and-conditioning coordinator since since 2003, after three seasons as Milwaukee's major-league strength-and conditioning coordinator.

"He's phenomenal, everybody's got a good relationship with him," reliever Blaine Boyer said of Falco, who also assisted the major-league team during spring training.

"Everybody knows him," Cox said. "He's going to do well."

Falco was called Tuesday night in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where he was working with the high-Class A affiliate. He drove to Atlanta on Wednesday, estimating that on the drive he talked to 40 family members and friends who were excited for him.

"Great to be here," Falco said. "Wonderful opportunity. It came out of the blue. I said I would absolutely love to [accept the job]."

His first order of business: "Talk to each player, figure out where they're at, where they need to go."

Norton scratched with sore knee

Left fielder Greg Norton was a late lineup scratch Thursday because of a twisted left knee. Rookie Josh Anderson made his second start for the Braves and first in left field.