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Top Melvin Upton News
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B.J. Upton: Begins media career
Upton will be a part of the YouTube broadcast crew for Tuesday's Rays-Dodgers game, signaling the end of his playing career, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Upton wasn't believed to be pursuing any playing opportunities after revealing in January that he planned to embark on a media career, and his inclusion on the broadcast Tuesday supports that idea. The 35-year-old will thus put an end to a 12-year run in the majors that included stops with the Rays, Braves, Padres and Blue Jays. He'll retire with 164 home runs, 300 steals and a .243 career average to his name.
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B.J. Upton: Opts for rebranding
Melvin Upton Jr. announced during a Tuesday appearance on MLB Network that he will be officially known as B.J. Upton moving forward, Scott Boeck of USA Today reports.
Upton previously went by B.J., which stands for "Bossman Junior," when he began his professional career in 2002 upon being selected by Tampa Bay with the second overall pick in the first-year player draft. Since the 2015 season, however, he had gone by Melvin Upton Jr., in honor of his father's given name. He's since decided to once again pay homage to his father's nickname by reverting to B.J. as he heads into his age-34 campaign. Upton, who was out of baseball in 2018 after being released by the Indians last March, remains a free agent and will presumably have to settle for a minor-league deal if he desires to keep his playing career going.
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Melvin Upton Jr.: Released by Indians
Upton was released by the Indians on Monday, T.J. Zuppe of The Athletic Cleveland reports.
It appears Upton has opted to look elsewhere for a major-league opportunity after being informed he wouldn't make the Indians' Opening Day roster. The 33-year-old struggled to get things going in Cactus League action, hitting just .189/.250/.297 in 40 plate appearances. If Upton does find his way back to the majors, it will likely be in a part-time capacity.
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Indians' Melvin Upton Jr.: Competing for roster spot
Upton will compete for a spot on Cleveland's Opening Day roster during spring training, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Upton inked a minor-league contract with the Indians back in December and will battle for a backup outfield spot with Rajai Davis on the big-league squad. Three of Cleveland's outfielders bat left-handed, so Upton could see at-bats against lefty pitching if he makes the team. The 33-year-old slashed a disappointing .238/.291/.402 in 2016, and will look to rebound this season.
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Indians' Melvin Upton Jr.: Minor-league deal with Indians
Upton signed a minor-league deal with the Indians on Friday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
This is in line with how the Indians have approached outside outfield help in recent years, as Upton is affordable and does a couple things well, which could allow him to eventually earn a spot in the majors in a part-time capacity. He has a career 109 wRC+ against lefties, and slashed .275/.341/.533 against southpaws in 120 at-bats in 2016. Thumb and shoulder injuries limited him to just 12 games at Triple-A last season before being cut loose by the Giants in August. He can handle center field in a pinch, but can be a plus defender in left field, as he still has plenty of speed. Upton will get a chance to try to earn the short-side of a platoon this spring.
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Melvin Upton Jr.: Cut loose by San Francisco
The Giants granted Upton his release Monday, Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.com reports.
The 33-year-old Upton inked a minor-league deal with the Giants in April with the hope of eventually working his way onto the big-league roster, but that never materialized after he battled injuries for much of the season and appeared in just 12 games with Triple-A Sacramento. Upton is back to full strength now, but since the last-place Giants weren't eager to open up playing time down the stretch for a declining veteran, he'll look to find an opportunity as a depth outfielder for a playoff-contending squad. He could have offer some usefulness as a baserunner and occasional starter against left-handed pitching.
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Giants' Melvin Upton Jr.: Returns to minor-league lineup
Upton (shoulder) went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI in his return to the lineup at Triple-A Sacramento, Andrew Baggarly of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Upton missed two and a half months with a thumb injury earlier this season and was able to compete in just one game in July before being sidelined by a new shoulder ailment. After some time off, he made his Triple-A return Tuesday and will likely finish out the 2017 campaign in the Giants' minor leagues unless another MLB club shows interest in him.
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Giants' Melvin Upton Jr.: Hampered by shoulder injury
Upton is dealing with shoulder irritation, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Upton only managed to appear in one game for Triple-A Sacramento before injuring himself once more. He's scheduled to see team doctors soon, after which more information on the injury and how long he'll be out should come forth. For now, consider him day-to-day.
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Giants' Melvin Upton Jr.: Activated from minor-league DL
Upton (thumb) was activated from the 7-day disabled list Saturday, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Upton is finally back in action for Triple-A Sacramento after missing more than two months with a torn ligament in his thumb. Given the Giants' struggles this season, Upton could earn himself an opportunity with the big club if he's able to perform well for the River Cats.
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Giants' Melvin Upton Jr.: Undergoes surgery on thumb ligament
Upton had surgery to repair a torn thumb ligament and will miss at least eight weeks, Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reports
Upton won't be able to go on a rehab assignment until late June in the absolute best case, so chances are he won't be available for the Giants until after the All-Star break. He hit 20 home runs between the Blue Jays and Padres last season and was looking like an intriguing outfield option before this injury took him out. Now the 31-year-old will have a long road back to the majors.
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Giants' Melvin Upton Jr.: Injures thumb Wednesday
Upton injured his thumb when he was hit by a pitch Wednesday, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Upton, who signed a minor-league deal with the Giants on April 8, has been stationed with Triple-A Sacramento as he looks to play his way back into the majors. Until more concrete details become available regarding his thumb's condition, the veteran outfielder will be labeled as day-to-day.
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Giants' Melvin Upton Jr.: Headed to Giants
Upton is set to sign a minor-league contract with the Giants on Saturday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Upton was released by the Blue Jays right before the season started after struggling throughout spring. Upon signing with the Giants, he'll likely report to Triple-A Sacramento, where he will try to work his way back to the majors. Upton could eventually earn himself an opportunity to platoon with Jarrett Parker in left field, as Parker and his platoon mate Chris Marrero are a combined 0-for-20 with 10 strikeouts to start the year.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-3, 185 lbs |
| Birthplace: Norfolk, VA |
| Age: 39 |
| Experience: 12 |
| Bats/Throws: R, R |