Chipper hits homer as pinch-hitter

Philadelphia — Chipper Jones is more concerned about his painful right shoulder and the possibility of surgery than about any public perception that he’s backing into the National League batting title.

The Braves third baseman is scheduled to have an MRI exam Tuesday to make sure there is no structural damage. He was scratched from the starting lineup Wednesday after testing the shoulder with a few throws before batting practice, but he hopes to play this weekend.

“I’m hoping that it’s something that can be fixed over an offseason with rest,” Jones said. “Hopefully it’s just bursitis or tendinitis and there’s nothing structurally wrong.

“But if there is something structurally wrong, it’s important to get it looked at right after the season’s over and hopefully get it fixed as quickly as possible so I can be ready for spring training.”

Jones leads the majors with a .365 average after he hit a three-run pinch-hit homer Wednesday night. He has a commanding lead over St. Louis’ Albert Pujols with three games remaining against Houston starting Friday.

Jones has missed five consecutive starts and said the shoulder didn’t feel any better when he threw Wednesday than last Friday, despite not throwing for five days.

“Last night in the [batting] cage, I started feeling it hitting left-handed,” he said. “It hasn’t really bothered me left-handed, but last night it started hurting again. That tells me something could be wrong.

“I don’t know. They [Braves medical staff] are saying it’s bursitis or tendinitis. Until we go in there and get a look at it, we won’t know. If it’s just what they say it is, then rest should do it.”

He hasn’t played in the field and had only two pinch-hit appearances since the pain worsened in his shoulder, which he said had been sore to varying degrees for most of two months.

Because it’s lingered so long, “I’m a little concerned about it,” he said. “I just tried to simulate throwing across the infield [Wednesday], and I couldn’t do it. I think it would have been all I could to muster a throw 90 feet.”

Despite the apparent setback, Jones said he still hopes to play in the season-ending series against the Astros after the team’s day off Thursday.

“I want to be in there,” he said. “I feel like I’ve made some strides [before Wednesday]. After another day we’ll see how it feels Friday, Saturday, Sunday. But as of today, I still can’t make throws like I need to.

“With what’s riding on this, the division, I don’t want to not be able to make a play that someone else could make. With Martin [Prado] taking my place and doing a real good job offensively and defensively, I think it’s better that he play.”