After sitting out this week's important series against the Mets with a sore oblique muscle in his right side, oft-injured third baseman Chipper Jones believes he could be ready to play Friday when the Braves open a series against the Nationals in Washington. The switch-hitter took swings at Shea Stadium before Wednesday's series finale against the Mets. "It feels good [hitting] left-handed," said Jones, 35. "Right-handed it's still a little sore." He said that after the Braves' off day today, "hopefully I'll be ready Friday. I want to play. There's been a lot of improvement, to the point where left-handed it [soreness] is nonexistent. But right-handed I still feel it a little."