Thomson moves a step closer to returning

CINCINNATI - John Thomson's arm, hand and finger are fine, the Braves' tall right-hander said Thursday. It's the fatigue factor that now stands between him and a return to Atlanta's big league rotation.

He's been wearing out the organization's minor league levels while trying to keep from getting worn out himself in rehabbing the middle finger on his pitching hand, an injury that's kept him out since mid-May.

He threw 67 pitches in 3 2/3 innings Wednesday for Triple-A Richmond. He said he began to tucker around pitch No. 60.

Part of it might have been the Toledo, Ohio, humidity, he said.

"Or maybe it was because it was the third time out on the mound in three months," Thomson said. "Maybe that."

The plan is to send Thomson to Double-A Mississippi on Monday for one final rehab start, then bring him back to face Arizona at home Aug. 13.

Left-hander Mike Hampton made a rehab start Thursday for Richmond to test his strained back.

Hampton, who will make at least one more minor league start, threw four innings against Toledo, giving up a run on four hits and striking out three.

CHIPPER IMPROVING: Chipper Jones made progress Thursday rehabbing his sore right shoulder.

Jones took batting practice and threw in the afternoon to test the rotator cuff, which was strained on a diving play Tuesday.

Jones said hitting right-handed is still painful, so there is a minimal chance he'll play tonight against St. Louis lefty Mark Mulder.

"I would seriously doubt it," he said.

He's hopeful to return to the lineup Saturday against the Cardinals' Jason Marquis. By then, his throwing motion should return closer to normal, he said.

"I could barely throw the ball to the pitcher," Jones said, "much less throw to first with the velocity I need to get someone out. We're just going to have to wait until the pain subsides."

ON DECK: The top two teams in the National League square off tonight as John Smoltz (12-5, 2.66 ERA) faces Mulder (12-5, 3.91).

Reach Travis Haney at travis.haney@morris.com.