Braves’ Jones remains on disabled list

? Chipper Jones had hoped to come off the disabled list Friday, but the Braves decided to give his right hamstring another day of rest.

Jones remained on the 15-day DL as the Braves began a three-game series against Houston, even though he played a rehab game at Class A Rome on Thursday night.

Jones, who hasn’t played for the Braves since April 18, went 0-for-4 during his minor-league stint but reported no problems with his hamstring.

The rest of his body was another story.

“I haven’t played nine innings in 17 days, and I’m pretty sore,” he said. “My hamstring isn’t sore, but I’m sore.”

Still, he felt healthy enough to play against the Astros. The Braves decided otherwise, not wanting to take a chance with Jones when they already have several players hurting.

Infielders Rafael Furcal (jammed finger) and Marcus Giles (sore elbow) didn’t start Friday, while right fielder J.D. Drew finally played after missing three straight games with a sore neck.

“I don’t want to step on anybody’s toes,” Jones said. “We’ve got a lot of guys who are pretty dinged up. We need as many healthy bodies as possible.

“I want to play. But they’re always going to err on the side of caution. We don’t always have to agree with it, but they’re the ones who are going to make the final decision.”

Remembering his time in the minors, Jones tried to make a good impression during his one-day stint in Rome. He gave a pair batting gloves to each of the position players, signed autographs and bought meals for the entire team before and after the game.

“They were very appreciative,” he said. “I kind of had a feel as to what those kids were feeling. We had a good time.”