Justin Upton News: Pro Sports Daily

Upton's defense a work in progress Upton's defense a work in progress

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September 10

Arizona Republic

"In his second full season playing the position, Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton's defense remains a work in progress. But there are reasons to believe it might be better than it looks. In two of the past three games entering Wednesday night, Upton misplayed a ball in right field and allowed the opponents to take an extra base. Both plays went for errors, raising his season total to 11, tied with Chicago's Alfonso Soriano for the most among National League outfielders. "He's got a tendency to peek when there's action on the bases," manager A.J. Hinch said. "It's a natural mistake for an outfielder to make. But when you're trying to locate the runner and make a good throw, you have ..."

Upton removed from series finale

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September 6

MLB.com

"D-backs right fielder Justin Upton was removed from Sunday's series finale with the Rockies in the middle of the third inning, apparently for not running out a deep drive to center field in the top of the inning. Upton took starter Jorge De La Rosa to the wall in deep center field in the at-bat, but he only got a single out of it, as Carlos Gonzalez fielded it cleanly off the wall and made a strong throw to second to hold Upton at first."

D-backs activate Upton from DL

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August 27

MLB.com

"That didn't last long. After just two rehab games, the D-backs activated right fielder Justin Upton from the disabled list and put him in the starting lineup for Wednesday night's game against the Giants. "It was pretty quick; it's a good thing," said Upton, who suffered a strained right oblique muscle while attempting a steal on Aug. 5 in Pittsburgh. "I'm 100 percent. I felt a little bit better at the plate yesterday. The game is going to speed up here a little bit. It's something I'm used to. I played up here all season." The D-backs certainly can use Upton's bat in their lineup, which has been depleted by injuries. "It's huge for us, because he's an All-Star and he's tough for the ..."

Upton optimistic about recovery

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August 7

Arizona Republic

"Justin Upton landed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, a day after straining his right oblique muscle during a stolen-base attempt, but he and manager A.J. Hinch are hopeful Upton can be activated in a couple of weeks. "The best-case scenario is probably 10 to 14 days," Hinch said. "It doesn't make sense to go without a player for 10 to 14 days. We'll put him on the DL and hope for a speedy recovery so that he's back when the 15 days are up." Last season, Upton strained his left oblique - a muscle near the rib cage area - costing him 43 games, but said he did not believe this injury to be as severe and thinks the right side is an easier side from which to recover. "It's on my back ..."

Upton strains right oblique

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August 6

MLB.com

"The D-backs felt plenty good about beating the Pirates, 4-3, on Wednesday night, but there was also a strong undercurrent of concern in the clubhouse following the game. That's because All-Star outfielder Justin Upton was forced to leave the game in the ninth inning with a right oblique strain. While the injury certainly seemed like one that would require a stint on the disabled list, both the team and Upton tried to be positive after the game. "No," Upton said when asked if he was concerned. "I'm trying to be as optimistic as possible. I can't say how I'm going to feel tomorrow. We'll see how I feel today and go from there." Upton singled with one out in the ninth, and with Mark Reynolds ..."

Haren, Upton named NL All-Stars

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July 5

Arizona Republic

"Diamondbacks right-hander Dan Haren and right fielder Justin Upton are going to St. Louis. Third baseman Mark Reynolds might join them. Haren and Upton were named to the National League All-Star team on Sunday morning, Haren's third straight year as an All-Star, the first for Upton. Reynolds is one of five candidates for the Final Vote, where fans decide the 33rd and final player on the team. We couldn't get reaction from Haren (he's the starting pitcher today), but Upton was as excited as you would expect and Reynolds sounded honored to be a finalist but, of course, would have rather been on the team outright. "It's awesome," Upton said. "I'm pumped about the selection and getting to go ..."

Upton day-to-day with aggravated shoulder

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June 8

Arizona Republic

"Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton left the game Sunday in the 10th inning with an aggravated left shoulder. He grimaced after taking a swing on a 1-1 pitch from Padres reliever Heath Bell. Upton finished the at-bat, striking out on the next pitch, but left the game before the bottom of the 10th. He is day-to-day, although manager A.J. Hinch said he likely will hold Upton out of Monday's lineup."

Upton broke slump; Byrnes next?

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May 13

Arizona Republic

"Before Justin Upton went on his hitting streak, the Diamondbacks were on the verge of sending the right fielder to the minors to regain confidence in a swing that seemed to be failing him. Now look at him. Three weeks later, he's entrenched as the No. 3 hitter in the everyday lineup. A similar transformation seems to be in the works regarding left fielder Eric Byrnes, who was in a 0-for-17 funk and batting .139 Friday when the Diamondbacks returned from an eight-game road trip. Now look at him. Entering Tuesday's game, he had raised his batting average 77 points to .216 thanks 9-for-16 streak that included four consecutive multi-hit games. It's the first time since May 2007 that he has ..."

Upton leads D-Backs with 2 homers

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May 7

Arizona Republic

"Infielder Josh Wilson took a quick look at a gaggle of reporters descending upon Justin Upton's locker Wednesday night. "Team Upton," Wilson cracked. "Geez." It was that kind of performance for Upton, who clubbed two home runs and unleashed a rocket throw from right field to nail a runner at the plate to lift the Diamondbacks and right-hander Jon Garland to a 3-1 win at Petco Park, snapping a three-game losing streak. Upton broke a scoreless tie in the sixth inning by launching a two-run home run to left field off Padres ace Jake Peavy, giving Garland all the support he would need. "It was his night," Garland said. It was the first multihomer game of Upton's career and prolonged an ..."

Upton working to fix his swing

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April 17

Arizona Republic

"Much like the way he had been holding his hands and bat high above his head and seemingly out of position, consider this when talking about Justin Upton: It's not where or how you start, but how you finish. As the Diamondbacks begin their first road trip of the season with a three-game set at AT"

Notes: Upton, Reynolds to sit in opener

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April 6

Arizona Republic

"Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said throughout spring training that he was going to take advantage of the flexibility of his roster. He is wasting no time in doing just that. Melvin said Sunday that his Opening Day lineup will include Tony Clark at first base, Chad Tracy at third and Eric Byrnes in right field. That means Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds will start the season on the bench. Might Melvin be sending a message to his team? "The only message we're sending is we're trying to run the best lineup out there on a particular day," he said. "They know that. We've addressed it. There's no hidden messages for anybody. It's about winning, and everybody's on board with that." Melvin ..."

Upton showing improvement on defense

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March 16

Arizona Republic

"Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton committed his second error of spring training when he dropped a fly ball last week, but Manager Bob Melvin believes he is showing improvement. "He's getting better," Melvin said. "The more he's out there the comfortable he feels." Upton led major-league outfielders with 11 errors last season, but Melvin believes that with Upton's speed, athleticism and strong arm, he could become a plus defender."

Uptons display quality on, off field

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November 9

Arizona Republic

columnist Paola Boivin

"You begin to tire of it, really, all the marketing people whispering in your ear about how accommodating B.J. and Justin Upton are. "They always show up on time." "I'm not used to athletes being this polite." "Not one complaint while they've been here. Not one." It's a perfect day for baseball at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The sky is robin-egg blue, the sun's thermostat two weeks removed from broil. Although many of the major leagues' young stars - the Uptons, Ryan Howard, Joba Chamberlain - are walking around, no games are being played, only athletes modeling and posing for Adidas' "Know the code" advertising campaign. The pitch, about the unwritten rules of baseball that help players ..."

Upton building on momentum

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September 29

Arizona Republic

"Like the Diamondbacks, Justin Upton ran out of time. After struggling for most of the season, the 21-year-old outfielder found his rhythm in September, hitting .295 in 61 at-bats. The key from here is building momentum through the off-season and into spring training. "It's very big for him," manager Bob Melvin said, adding that he compares it to Stephen Drew's and Conor Jackson's years. "I think that's going to be important for all these (young) guys next year. Now they know what to expect a little more. How their opponents try to handle them. What their strengths and weaknesses are. You talk about experience. That's it." In his third season, Drew hit .293 with 21 home runs and 67 RBIs ..."

Upton a bright spot in loss

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September 15

Arizona Republic

"On a mostly dismal day within a mostly brutal series for the Diamondbacks offense, Justin Upton stood out as the bright spot. On Sunday, Upton had a career-high four hits, including his first home run since July. He had two hits Saturday and hit the ball squarely two other times Friday night. Upton hopes he can keep his bat hot through the season's final two weeks. "My confidence has been there," he said. "It just hasn't been working my way. I'm going to remain confident and hopefully help out the ballclub. We need somebody to really break through, and hopefully it's me." Upton's season has been filled with peaks (hitting .327 in the season's first month) and valleys (hitting .123 in ..."

Upton's return boosts bench

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August 31

Arizona Republic

"The return of Justin Upton gives Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin another option in the outfield, but it also bolsters a bench that could play a significant role down the stretch. Upton, who spent 43 games on the disabled list (left oblique strain), returned Fridaywith a pinch-hit double. "Last year, the production we got off our bench was important and was an integral part," Melvin said. "We got a little bit in April, and really for several months here we haven't had a whole lot of production coming off the bench, so it was nice to see . . . We got a big pinch-hit from Sally (Jeff Salazar), and Upton gets a big pinch-hit double. "So it's gonna be important, and in the course of tight ..."

Upton, Scherzer rejoin team

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August 30

Arizona Republic

"The Diamondbacks made a flurry of roster moves Friday, welcoming back right fielder Justin Upton from the disabled list, recalling pitching prospect Max Scherzer and claiming pitcher Wil Ledezma off waivers from the San Diego Padres. Upton, who hit .279 with three home runs in 61 at-bats on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Tucson, rejoins the team after a month and a half on the disabled list with a strained oblique but steps into an unknown situation when it comes to playing time. Upton hasn't been active since the club acquired slugger Adam Dunn from Cincinnati on Aug. 11. Manager Bob Melvin said again that players who are used to being everyday players are going to have to get used ..."

Upton getting closer to return

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August 28

Arizona Republic

"With home runs in consecutive games on his rehab assignment for Triple-A Tucson, right fielder Justin Upton's return is getting closer. Manager Bob Melvin said Upton could be reinstated from the disabled list Friday or Saturday. But he wouldn't go into specifics as to how his lineup would look when Upton returns. "It sounds like the last couple of days he has made some significant strides," Melvin said. "All along we have said that we wanted him having some success when he gets here, and he seems to be having it at this point." Entering Wednesday night, Upton was hitting .275 with three doubles and three homers in 51 at-bats for Tucson. As for how he would make room for Upton, Melvin said ..."

Upton given day off from rehab

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August 20

East Valley Tribune

"Justin Upton was at Chase Field on Tuesday on a scheduled day off from his minor league rehabilitation stint. He said there is no pain from the oblique muscle he strained before the All-Star break, but there is no timetable yet for his return. "I'm just going to Tucson, playing games and trying to prepare myself for whenever I do come back," he said. "I'm getting there. It's a process. I've been out for a while and the goal is to be ready to play when I get back." Upton is hitting .360 with a homer and three RBIs in 25 at-bats at Triple-A Tucson. The way the lineup and defense shakes out upon his return is the question hounding manager Bob Melvin. The addition of slugger Adam Dunn gives ..."

Upton Tucson-bound for rehabilitation

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August 9

East Valley Tribune

"A day after taking his first outdoor batting practice since suffering an oblique injury on July 9, Justin Upton reported all systems were up and running. Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said Upton will join Triple-A Tucson on a rehab assignment. The Diamondbacks travel to Colorado on Monday and begin a three-game series Tuesday with the Rockies, the same day the Sidewinders open a series at Colorado Springs. Until then, he'll continue to take daily batting practice. Upton, who jumped from Double-A Mobile to the majors, would be in Tucson at least a week. "I feel good, no problems," Upton said. "The goal now is to get through with no pain or soreness each day. It's been frustrating having ..."

Upton takes swings without pain

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August 8

East Valley Tribune

"Justin Upton felt back at home Thursday, back at home. Roof open, sunglasses down, Upton hit several pitches into the Chase Field seats in early batting practice, the first time he has hit outside since suffering a strained left oblique muscle in Washington on July 9. After the first few swings, it looked like his normal swing. He was driving some balls out of the park," a pleased manager Bob Melvin said. "I wasn't manipulating my swing in any way. I had no pain from it," said Upton, reassured after an MRI Monday showed no damage. "It was definitely a relief. It took a lot off my mind." The D-Backs hope to send Upton on a rehab assignment in the next couple of days, Melvin said, at the ..."

Upton could be near rehab stint

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August 8

Arizona Republic

"It has taken longer than expected, but Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton is starting to feel like himself again. For the first time since suffering a strained left oblique in early July, Upton hit on the field for a little less than 10 minutes Thursday. "It's a lot different to get out on the field and feel like you're a ballplayer again," he said. "Good to be out on a big-league field and start swinging again." Upton said he was taking his normal swing and didn't feel soreness or pain. Manager Bob Melvin thought Upton's swing looked good, including when he was driving balls over the fence. Melvin said the team will evaluate how he feels Friday before determining the next step. If ..."

Upton won't be rushed back

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July 26

Arizona Republic

"The Diamondbacks initially believed outfielder Justin Upton's oblique injury to be minor enough that they played a man short for a few games before the All-Star break rather than placing him on the disabled list. But Upton eventually landed on the disabled list and his return has been anything but accelerated. Upton won't be back before the end of the 10-game road trip the Diamondbacks began on Friday. Once he is ready, it appears it could come close to four weeks after he initially suffered the injury July 10. Upton has taken only soft toss and hit off a tee. Manager Bob Melvin said that if Upton takes batting practice sometime early next week, he could begin a rehab assignment by next ..."

Timetable for Upton's return uncertain

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July 19

Arizona Republic

"With his left-oblique strain not healing quickly enough, Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday, retroactive to July 9. The soonest Upton could return is Thursday, although with oblique injuries, timetables can be hard to pinpoint. "He just wasn't coming along in the fashion where we thought we could put him out there and he could take some violent swings in batting practice," manager Bob Melvin said."

Upton won't play in Philadelphia

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July 11

East Valley Tribune

"The Diamondbacks’ offense took another hit with the loss of Justin Upton on Thursday. Upton was held out of the lineup for the second straight game with a strained left oblique muscle, and the D-Backs plan to keep him out for the rest of the road trip, manager Bob Melvin said. “We’ll reevaluate it during the All-Star break,” Melvin said."

Injured Upton expected to miss weekend series

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July 10

East Valley Tribune

"The Diamondbacks’ offense took another hit Thursday. Justin Upton was held out of the lineup for the second straight game with a strained left oblique muscle, and the D-Backs plan to keep him out for the rest of the road trip, manager Bob Melvin said. “We’ll re-evaluate during the All-Star break,” Melvin said, when a decision to retroactively place Upton on the disabled list could be made, depending on his progress."

Upton may go on DL

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July 10

Arizona Republic

"The Diamondbacks' already-depleted lineup took another hit before Wednesday's game when right fielder Justin Upton felt discomfort in his left side during batting practice and had to be scratched from the starting lineup. Manager Bob Melvin said the team had not determined whether Upton's injury is to his rib cage or oblique muscle, but either way he almost certainly won't be in the lineup tonight and could be headed for the disabled list. "If it's just above the oblique or whether it's the rib cage, either way it can be a tough spot," Melvin said. "It just depends how badly he injured it. It certainly could be DL. We're not sure.""

Upton's hitting may be on upswing

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June 30

Arizona Republic

"The results still are missing for Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton, whose struggles at the plate have stretched across the better part of six weeks, as his average has dipped below .240. But there have been signs that the 20-year-old is making progress at the plate, even if that progress has not translated into hits. "I'm just trying to work back into it," he said. "I've been struggling for a while. It's a process, a process that's moving forward. That's what we look for - to move forward, not backward.""

Upton: Fix issues in MLB, or in Triple-A?

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June 13

Arizona Republic

"There are likely few players in the major leagues with more pure talent than Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton. Even fewer, perhaps, whose potential value to their organization is greater. But Upton, being short on both age (20) and major-league experience (355 career at-bats), has slumped badly for the better part of the past four weeks, presenting the Diamondbacks with an age-old baseball dilemma: how best to handle a gifted but struggling young hitter."

Slumping Upton reaches base four times

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June 10

East Valley Tribune

"Justin Upton beat out an infield single to break an 0-for-17 slump and walked three times Monday, remaining resolute that things will soon change while enduring a 3-for-59 stretch on the road. "If you didn't, you'd drive yourself crazy," said Upton, who did his normal video work before Monday's game. "I've always been a tough person. You just try to stay as positive as possible and keep getting your work in. That's the way baseball is.""

Upton staying positive during slump

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June 9

Arizona Republic

"Right fielder Justin Upton calls always-upbeat teammate Chris Burke his mental coach, someone in the clubhouse whom he can lean on for support. But even though his offensive struggles are stretching into a fifth week, Upton, despite being just 20 years old, seems to have little trouble turning the page. "I think he's amazing at it," Burke said. "His attitude is good every day. Obviously, he's been frustrated that he hasn't been taking some of the work he's put in the cage into the game. But the thing about 'J-Up' is he has such a good attitude each and every day that everybody has confidence in him that he's going to get hot again.""

Upton kept confidence during slump

May 30

East Valley Tribune

"Even during Justin Upton’s hitting skid, teammates said they saw the same player who was among the league’s leading hitters in April. Upton remained upbeat even in the most difficult times, fellow outfielder Chris Young said, adding “he’s not what we call a 'happy hitter,’ who is happy when he is hitting and silent in the clubhouse when he is not hitting.” Upton broke an 0-for-27 slump with a two-run double in the sixth inning Wednesday, then hit a 438-foot home run and an RBI triple Thursday."