Braves activate Jones from disabled list

Chipper Jones missed 14 games with a left calf contusion.

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ATLANTA (AP) -- Chipper Jones was activated from the 15-day disabled list and is starting in Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Braves optioned outfielder Jose Constanza to Triple-A Gwinnett.

As expected, the Braves also called up right-hander Julio Teheran from Gwinnett to start Sunday's game and optioned backup catcher J.C. Boscan to Gwinnett.

Jones missed 14 games after he was placed on the disabled list on May 26 with a left calf contusion. He played two games with Class A Rome in a brief injury rehabilitation stint before returning to Atlanta.

Jones lobbied against being sent to Rome. He returned one day sooner than had been planned.

When asked Sunday what he accomplished in Rome, Jones said "Not much."

"I told them I was fine when I went down there," Jones said. "I could play nine (innings). There are no limitations. ... I think they just wanted to make sure I didn't come off the DL and tweak a groin or hamstring and go back on the DL."

Jones is retiring after this season. He is hitting .307 with five homers and 24 RBIs in 29 games.

The Braves are 19-5 with Jones starting and 15-20 - including a season-best six straight wins through Saturday - in games he doesn't start.

"I never like being away, but the guys are playing good baseball - pitching and hitting," Jones said.

Jones' calf, ankle and foot were bruised and swollen after he was hit by a ground ball when playing on Tampa Bay's artificial turf

Constanza hit .250 in 12 games with Atlanta, including seven starts in left field. He had two infield hits on Saturday.

"It seems like every time he comes up, he energizes us," said manager Fredi Gonzalez of Constanza.

When Jones was on the disabled list, Martin Prado moved from left field to fill in at third base, creating an opening for Constanza in left field. With Jones' return, Prado is back in left field.

Teheran, the Braves' top prospect, is 5-2 with a 3.15 ERA in 11 starts at Gwinnett. He was called up for what is expected to be only one start to fill in for Tim Hudson, who has bone spurs in his left ankle.

Hudson said Sunday his ankle feels better. He said it "shouldn't be a problem" to start on Wednesday against the Yankees. Gonzalez plans to give Brandon Beachy, who has been scheduled to start on Wednesday, extra rest in order to move Hudson back into the rotation.

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