Atlanta Braves Outfielder Justin Upton Leaves Game
By Jeff Schafer
The Atlanta Braves outfielder, Justin Upton, left the contest against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night after he fouled a ball off of his knee in the 4th inning. He stayed in the game long enough to complete his plate appearance, but after drawing a walk, he came out for a pinch runner. The Braves have diagnosed it as a bruised right knee but Upton then said he doesn’t expect to be out long.
Sep 10, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Justin Upton (8) stands on the field after fouling of a pitch off his leg in the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
“I’ll come in Wednesday, and if I can run, I’m going to play,” Upton said.
Once Upton reached the first-base bag, he was greeted by trainer Jeff Porter and Manager Fredi Gonzalez. Upton once again showed some reluctance as he jogged along the right-field line before heading to the clubhouse without the need for assistance.
“It was a little tender,” Upton said. “Every time I stepped on it, it wasn’t comfortable. There’s a lot of discomfort there. So we’ll see what happens.”
Upton leads the NL East-leading Braves with 24 homers and is batting .259. He believes this injury was a product of bad pitches and his judgment to swing at them.
“It’s annoying, stupid,” he said. “You swing at bad pitches, and pay for it.”
Injuries are coming at a worse time for the Braves but hopefully this injury won’t linger. Seems like a little ice, rest, and Advil will take care of this.
Gonzalez said he might give Upton a chance to rest on Wednesday night when the Braves oppose Miami’s rookie phenom Jose Fernandez. But Upton is holding out hope that he will be able to make an immediate return to Atlanta’s lineup.
“If I can run, I’m going to play,” Upton said.
Upton is listed as day to day, but in my mind Gonzalez needs to sit his stars with linger injuries so we are at full strength heading into October. We have great bench players, let them play!