When the Atlanta Braves’ Chipper Jones had arthroscopic surgery on a torn meniscus in his left knee on March 27, he was optimistic that he’d be able to return for the team’s home opener, which comes up this Friday, April 13.

It appears that Jones’ prediction will come true, or possibly even sooner. David O’Brien:

Jones is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, when the Braves play the second game of a three-game series at Houston. The home opener is Friday against Milwaukee.

“Definitely the home opener, based on [Friday’s] workout,” Gonzalez said, “and maybe even sooner than that. We’ll see what happens in the next couple of days with him.”

O’Brien also reports that although Jones could be sent on a rehab assignment for a couple of games, the Braves would only do that if Jones felt he needed that; otherwise they could activate him and use him off the bench until he was ready to start.

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