Upton expecting to miss first week

CF B.J. Upton said recovery from left shoulder surgery is going well but he expects to miss the first week of the Tampa Bay Rays regular season.

"It's coming along a lot faster that we thought it would but at the same time we can't rush it," he said Wednesday.

"I'm hoping (to be ready opening day), but if not hopefully when they get back off the road to play New York. They said cold weather is probably going to be an issue with it, make it ache a little bit. So we're going to be careful with it and hopefully when they get back off the road I can start up."

Other notes from a player availability Wednesday:

* 3B Evan Longoria said he was contacted about playing for Mexico in the WBC but said he would prefer to play for the U.S. team if he was going to participate.

* LHP Scott Kazmir has gained close to 20 pounds since the end of last season due to an increased off-season conditioning and strengthening program designed to improve his balance.

Also, veteran RHP Paul Byrd told foxsports.com he plans to sit out the first half of the season with hopes of joining a team for the stretch run. According to Fox's Ken Rosenthal, his preferred teams are the Rays, Braves and Marlins.

Comments

[Sunglasses Future]

I suppose if your name sounds hispanic and you rock at the plate and in the field, your fair game

Mexico, what's the matter stone-hands Cantu not your cup of tea?

Gaining weight to improve your balance? That leaves a little unexplained. Was one side lighter?

[skp]

longoria? mexico? que?

one of the reasons i was excited about fernando perez is that he seemed like a dynamic player who could make plays and give upton & CC a couple extra days off each month, but it looks like he won't be on the major league roster....i hope maddon finds a way to keep both of these thoroughbreds fresh all season long and into the playoffs, between CC's bum legs and BJ's rehabbing shoulder it's important to ensure the only days off are by design....it killed to see CC stop even pretending he was gonna steal a base after the all-star break...need to make sure he's in playmaking shape down the stretch

[Amanda]

Good plan. I'd rather err on the side of caution and lose BJ for the first week of the season than have him play and lose him for MANY weeks later in the season.

[mm]

I'm with you! I really like this kid. With our outfield being, CC, BJ, & Perez you better knock it out of the park every time because the speed these guys have is incredible.

Perez reminds me of Gathright except he can actually play ball.

[9equals8.com]

Hmmm - maybe that will give Perez a chance to get some action and show what he has to offer. BJ should take however much time he needs to get healthy. He'll be missed in the lineup for the first week or two, but he'd be missed much more if he does more damage to it.