"Tampa Bay Rays center fielder B.J. Upton wasn't in the lineup for Wednesday's 13-4 loss at Oakland.

Just a day off, Upton said.

"I wanted to get Sammy involved," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. Sam Fuld started in left field and Desmond Jennings, recently brought up from Triple-A, started in center.

Upton said the day off had nothing to do with his health, though he told teammates he has a tight left quad.

"I'm fine," Upton said.

Meanwhile, shortstop Ian Desmond and catcher Wilson Ramos of the Nationals, two players mentioned as possible players to be traded to Tampa Bay for Upton, where not in the lineup Wednesday.

So, let's review: With Sunday's 4 p.m. Eastern time deadline for non-waiver trades looming, Upton received his second day off in four days. He said he's healthy. A possible trading partner with the Rays didn't play a pair of players rumored to be on the block.

Kind of seems like there is something going on.

"That's what it would seem like, but it's not," Upton said.

Rays executive vice president of baseball Andrew Friedman, who does not comment on trade talks, has indicated he is not under pressure to move Upton at the deadline and could carry talks into the offseason when he can deal with 29 teams rather than the handful that are looking for help for a playoff run.

Because Friedman doesn't deny or confirm rumors allows them to gain steam, especially on days when Upton gets another day off, which is why Upton said he spent the open locker room portion of Wednesday afternoon inside the trainer's room hoping the locker room would be cleared of reporters when he returned to his locker.

It was not.

Despite maintaining he is healthy, Upton did not participate in batting practice.

"I'm certain (the rumors) would wear you down a bit," Maddon said. "It would wear me down. That's part of what's going on, I'm sure.""