"First off an update on Chipper Jones….There's been a change in plan and he's going to go on up to Single-A Rome to play in rehabilitation games tonight in a 7 p.m. start and tomorrow (Sunday) in a 2 p.m. start.

The Braves plan is for him to DH tonight and then either DH or play third base on Sunday. The idea is to give the surgically-repaired right knee a real test. If all goes well this weekend, he could be ready to come off the disabled list as early as Monday against the Pirates.

This has been a back and forth thing the past few days as you know. First Jones was going to Rome to rehab this weekend, then he wasn't. I think what it boils down to is the Braves want him to get a rehab in and rather than put it off until next week, Jones will go ahead and get it in now.

He felt some soreness in his knee after taking batting practice mid-week in Gwinnett, but nothing Jones categorized as a setback.

So there you have it.

Catching up with Heyward

So it's a little hot for a fireside chat, here in late July in Cincinnati, but what the heck. That's a little what it felt like the conversation I had with Jason Heyward this morning in the clubhouse.

He's got a lot going on, the Braves' second-year right fielder, who's had some hard times at the plate this season, a shoulder injury to fight through, and has come face-to-face with some serious sophomore struggles.

Now, a week away from the trade deadline Heyward faces the prospect that the Braves will go out and acquire a right-handed outfield bat, maybe even a Carlos Beltran, who will eat away at his playing time."