Hudson back, Hampton and Chipper Jones close

<p>Tim Hudson was back on the mound Saturday night for the Atlanta Braves, who were set for the imminent return of two more key players.</p><p>Hudson made his first start since June 13, when he was forced out after 2 2-3 innings by a strained muscle in his left side.</p><p>The right-hander's return was just the first bit of good news the Braves got in their weekend series against the New York Mets.</p><p>Injured lefty Mike Hampton was expected to come off the disabled list on Sunday to start against the Mets, and third baseman Chipper Jones planned to be in the lineup Monday when the Braves start a series in San Francisco against the Giants.</p><p>"I think it's a psychological lift," manager Bobby Cox said Saturday.</p><p>Atlanta optioned infielder Andy Marte to Triple-A Richmond to make room for Hudson. Another move will have to be made before Hampton faces the team with which he was the MVP of the 2000 National League championship series.</p><p>Hampton hasn't pitched since May 31 because of a strained left forearm. He left that start against Washington _ his first outing following a two-week DL stint _ after just four innings and 58 pitches.</p><p>He tried to throw before a game in Pittsburgh three days later, but the pain forced him to the sideline again.</p><p>Now Hudson and Hampton are back to help the Braves, who are on the heels on NL East-leading Washington.</p><p>"They feel they're ready, but it's always a concern when you have injured pitchers bringing them back," Cox said. "They want to go, they're ready to go so we'll shoot them out there.</p><p>"They've got to go sometime. They wanted to go way before this."</p><p>The Braves are going with 13 pitchers after purchasing the contract of right-hander Jay Powell from Double-A Mississippi on Friday. Atlanta has made due this season with a bunch of youngsters, sporting 10 rookies on the roster as recently as Friday.</p><p>With two consecutive starts by pitchers returning from injury, Cox felt better having an extra hurler on the staff. That will change once Jones returns.</p><p>"Hudson hasn't pitched in a long time, Hampton in a really long time. We need the extra pitcher," Cox said. "Actually we need them a couple of times around but we can't do it. We'll have to let him go after this series."</p><p>If not for the pitching woes, Jones might have been activated to face the Mets _ a team he has had great success against during the past decade.</p><p>Jones has missed 43 games this season, including 35 since he went on the DL on June 6 because of an injured ligament in a toe on his left foot.</p><p>"We have a lot of roster issues right now," Cox said. "I want to keep the other pitcher, and he's not quite ready. He needs to keep working out a few more days."</p><p>Jones was at Shea Stadium on Saturday after two rehab games with Class A Rome. He went 3-for-6 with two walks and two RBIs in two games.</p><p>"I'm feeling better. I've still got some pain but it's tolerable," Jones said. "It's about at the point that I can get back in there and produce."</p><p>Jones was supposed to play a third game on Friday, but it was rained out.</p><p>Now he is getting antsy while waiting for the weekend to end.</p><p>"I'm going to have to save my bullets," he said. "I can't go out and overwork myself before the game starts."</p>

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