Upton has been dealing with a slight tear in his (left) labrum since 2006. The Dbacks are in last place, and still, they never sent Justin home (or "shut him down"). If there was anything to play for, Upton could have played (and did, even on last place team).
ExCo ruled against him based on a few factors.LOS ANGELES - Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton hasn't swung a bat in a game since mid-September, and the plan is for him to gets some batting practice in the instructional league before he shuts it down for good this off-season.
That way, Upton will have a better feel, physically and mentally, about the strength and recovery of a left-shoulder injury he aggravated Aug. 30.
Upton has been used recently as a pinch-runner, but interim manager Kirk Gibson said the club didn't want to let him hit until everyone is convinced the injury is healed.
"I'm pretty confident with where I'm at right now," Upton said. "Hopefully I'll be able to get some swings in before shutting it down, because that's the best-case scenario. If it doesn't go that way, obviously we'll re-evaluate the situation and go from there.
"But I don't want to not pick up a bat and go home not knowing if I'm 100 percent."
Gibson agreed and also has issued a challenge to Upton.
"We've talked about it, and he understands he can't come back and be successful and play just 130 games," Gibson said. "He's too big of an asset, too important to this team. He's got to do some things different with the way he keeps himself ready to play."
- He has logged 7 at bats in September
- Upton pinch ran over the weekend but did not register an at bat or an inning in the field.
- Upton and the D'Backs are not convinced the injury is healed
- According to Will Carroll, surgery was an option for Upton headed into his visit with James Andrews, but Andrews said the condition hadn't worsened. Upton still hasn't registered an at bat since the visit.
If we could limit the discussion and bickering, that would be awesome and just vote.
Jag will need a majority of the vote to overturn it.
