Upton apparently okay after being hit by pitch
UPDATE, 5:15: The Rays now say Upton has a bone bruise and is day to day after he was examined by a doctor.
UPDATE, 3:22: The Rays say X-rays were negative and the injury doesn't appear to be serious.
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CF B.J. Upton was headed for X-rays Saturday after being hit on the left hand by a pitch in a minor-league game in Port Charlotte
Upton told Dennis Maffezzoli of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune the pitch struck the bottom of his pinkie and he expected to be okay: "It should be all right. No problem.'' When hit by a pitcher from Boston's Triple-A team, Upton immediately let out a yell, dropped his bat and then threw his helmet to the ground as he headed to the Rays dugout.
Upton came out of the trainer's room after being attended to by Ron Porterfield and said, "You've got to be kidding.''
Upton has been feeling good enough in recovery from left shoulder surgery that he hoped to play in his first major-league exhibition by the middle of next week, so even with no serious injury this incident may delay that timetable, and make it even less likely he will be on the opening day roster.
Saturday was his third minor-league exhibition, and the first time he batted and played the field in the same game. He struck out swinging in his first at-bat.
Follow Tampa Bay Rays baseball from spring training to the World Series with Marc Topkin, Joe Smith and the St. Petersburg Times sports staff. From Evan Longoria to B.J. Upton and James Shields, we're your source for Tampa Bay Rays scores and schedules.
BJ actually checked his swing and got hit by the pitch, it seemed pretty evident by the time he left the field that he was pretty much OK.
Picture: http://z8.invisionfree.com/The_Rays_Republic/index.php?showtopic=293
Posted by: coach | March 21, 2009 at 06:08 PM
Maff is jonny on the spot Marc. Make sure you buy him a pint of Coors Lite..
Posted by: sean | March 21, 2009 at 03:13 PM