Chipper Jones' right quadriceps isn't fully healed, but after he tested it Tuesday, he said it was close enough to 80 percent that he wasn't willing to sit out another game, let alone go on the disabled list.
Jones didn't time his return to coincide with the arrival of the division-leading Phillies, but he is glad he's feeling that he can contribute now. "We've got the No. 1 team in the division here going head to head," he said. "They waxed us pretty good a couple of weeks ago. We've got to play better.
"I said when I could get to 75, 80 percent that I wanted to get back in there because I wouldn't embarrass myself out there on the basepath. I can do all the other stuff, no problem. If I had come in here and been 50 percent, I would have gone on the DL."
He went 1-for-3 with a double and two walks in the opener against Philadelphia.
Jones has played since aggravating his quad injury knowing that he had one at-bat in him, and he nearly always delivered. But his teammates did not capitalize when he did.
"How many times has your spot in the lineup come up in a crucial situation where you feel like at least one or two times you might have done something?" he asked. "You think about all the opportunities you would have had over a course of time to possibly help the ballclub."
The All-Star Game did not enter into Jones' decision, only where the Braves are in the standings. But Jones couldn't help but think about it.
"The No. 1 priority," he said, "is to get healthy for this club. From a selfish standpoint, I would be thrilled if I could play in the All-Star Game."
PHILLIES 8, BRAVES 3: Charlie Morton gave up six consecutive hits to start the third inning, and that was the end of him and the Braves. Even the return of Chipper Jones to the starting lineup couldn't overcome that.
