I am the Jedi Pirate!

ATLANTA -- Encouraged that his right knee has significantly improved since receiving two cortisone injections Sunday evening, Chipper Jones decided it was time for him to return to the Braves' lineup Tuesday afternoon and determine whether he will need to undergo arthroscopic surgery.

"If I was sitting out today and not feeling good enough to play, I would wait another day," Jones said. "But I improved yesterday and I improved more today. I'd much rather test it today."

After Jones took batting practice Tuesday morning, the Braves Patent put him in the lineup to face Astros left-hander Wandy Rodriguez. Despite the fact he has experienced most of his discomfort batting from the right side over the past three weeks, the veteran switch-hitter felt this was the best way to truly test his knee.

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