Braves 3B Jones returns to lineup

Jul 1, 2008 - 11:01 PM ATLANTA (Ticker) -- After making a remarkable recovery in the last 48 hours, Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones is back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Following Sunday's loss in Toronto, Braves manager Bobby Cox hinted that Jones might be headed to the disabled list with a strained right quadriceps that had kept him out of the lineup for the previous eight games.

While Jones had made three pinch-hitting appearances since suffering the injury June 20 against Seattle, he did not play at all during the Braves' series in Toronto.

However, after running some sprints Tuesday, he told Cox that his leg had greatly improved. Following batting practice, Jones, the top hitter in the major leagues with a .394 batting average, was inserted into the lineup in his usual No. 3 spot.

Recently hampered by injuries, the Braves are suddenly getting healthy, as center fielder Mark Kotsay was activated from the disabled list prior to Tuesday's game after missing three weeks with a back injury. Kotsay also is in the starting lineup, batting sixth.

In addition, Cox said that he expects shortstop Yunel Escobar to return on Wednesday. Escobar has not played

since straining his left shoulder on June 24.

The Braves (40-43) enter Tuesday's contest only four games behind the first-place Phillies (44-39) in the National League East Division.