Justin Upton Day-to-Day with Bone Bruise
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton underwent an MRI yesterday on his injured right thumb. The procedure revealed a bone bruise and the Diamondbacks are currently listing their two-time All-Star as day-to-day.
Upton sustained the injury while sliding into second base during a game against the San Francisco Giants on April 8. Though he was able to play following the initial injury, Upton hasn’t been the same for the Diamondbacks.
According to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, Upton has gone just 5-24 at the plate since jamming his thumb. On the year Upton has maintained a line of .212/.350/.273. His current batting average and slugging percentage are a far cry from his career marks of .276 and .484.
Upton and the Diamondbacks are hoping the injury doesn’t require a trip to the disabled list. Manager Kirk Gibson has said that “it doesn’t seem like” Upton will be forced to miss 15 days due to the thumb injury , but he also said that his right fielder isn’t returning tomorrow either.
In Upton’s absence the Diamondbacks are able to plug in fourth outfielder Gerardo Parra. Because they inked Jason Kubel to a free agent deal this offseason, the Diamondbacks entered the season with four above average outfielders. While some questioned their decisions to first sign Kubel and then hold onto Parra, they now find themselves well prepared for such an injury.
For more on the Diamondbacks be sure to check out Venom Strikes.
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