NEW YORK — Chipper Jones tested his right quadriceps with a full workout of fielding grounders and hitting Friday and came away feeling good, but the Braves will give him one more day before putting him back in the starting lineup.
The decision was OK with Jones, who wanted to make sure his quad bounced back after a rigorous workout. Jones was available to pinch hit Friday and also play the field if need be on a double-switch.
If all goes as planned, Jones will return to the lineup Saturday night against the Mets, take Sunday off, and then be back in the lineup on a regular basis starting Monday in Florida.
“What we’re all worried about is playing nine innings and the soreness the next day,” said Jones, who has played one game in the field in the past 23. “Quite frankly I’m going to need a day to get over some of the soreness.”
Jones was encouraged by how it responded fielding grounders to each side Friday, which had bothered him earlier in the week.
“I didn’t have any limitations going left to right,” Jones said. “I didn’t feel it one time when I was out there working out. So we’re a go.”
McLouth has surgery
Outfielder Nate McLouth underwent sports-hernia surgery Thursday in Philadelphia, a procedure that will require six weeks of recovery time.
McLouth went on the disabled list July 29, which along with a finger injury to Jordan Schafer and a lack of consistent production from center field, prompted the Braves to trade for Astros center fielder Michael Bourn.
The Braves still could use McLouth when rosters expand in September, but if he takes the full six weeks to return, that leaves only 12 games in the regular season. The Braves aren’t ruling out his return.
McLouth had played with the injury all season, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
“I don’t know if it was a full-blown sports hernia,” Gonzalez said. “But he’s been playing with that little discomfort since like Game 2.”
McLouth has hit .228 with four home runs and 16 RBIs in 81 games in what is likely his final season as a Brave. McLouth is in the last year of his contract, which has a $10.65 million club option for 2012. The Braves are likely to buy him out for $1.25 million instead.
Without McLouth and Schafer, who was traded in the Bourn deal, the Braves likely would turn to Jose Constanza and possibly Jason Heyward if Bourn goes down with an injury.
Lineup experiment
Gonzalez batted the pitcher eighth for the fourth time Friday night, and even he isn’t sure quite how he feels about it yet.
“I can’t honestly say ‘Yes it tickles my toes’ or ‘No I don’t like it,’” Gonzalez said. “I don’t know.”
He’s the first Braves manager to do it since 1941, when Casey Stengel batted Jim Tobin eighth for the Boston Braves.
Gonzalez likes it with both Bourn and Constanza in the lineup, acting as dual leadoff hits at No. 9 and No. 1. He likes being able to do that with Martin Prado in his usual No. 2 spot. He likes creating RBI opportunities for Freddie Freeman and Dan Uggla.
He liked it Wednesday when he batted Brandon Beachy eighth against the Nationals. Beachy batted last in the sixth, and Gonzalez could use Eric O’Flaherty in both the sixth and seventh innings without having to double-switch.
Gonzalez said he likely will go back to the more traditional lineup when both Jones and Brian McCann return.
McCann (oblique) was set to do light throwing and take dry swings Friday. The Braves won’t know until he turns up the effort whether he can return from the DL when he’s eligible Friday against the Cubs.
