Chipper exits with shoulder injury

ATLANTA -- Chipper Jones currently holds a comfortable lead over Albert Pujols in the National League batting title race. But the Braves third baseman may miss at least a game or two because of discomfort in his right shoulder.

Jones exited after striking out with the bases loaded during the fifth inning of Friday night's 9-5 loss against the Mets at Turner Field. The Braves announced that he had inflammation in his right shoulder and that his playing status is currently day-to-day.

While going hitless in three at-bats on Friday, Jones saw his Major League batting average drop to .362. Pujols, who went 1-for-4 against the Cubs earlier in the afternoon, ranks second in the NL with a .353 batting average.

Jones didn't stick around after the game to speak with the media. Braves spokesman Adam Liberman said the 36-year-old third baseman revealed that he has been battling some shoulder discomfort recently.

When Jones arrives at Turner Field on Saturday, he'll be reevaluated. If all goes well, he could return to the lineup immediately.