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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
B.J. Upton: Begins media career
Melvin 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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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
B.J. Upton: Opts for rebranding
Melvin 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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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Melvin Upton Jr.: Released by Indians
Melvin 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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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Indians' Melvin Upton Jr.: Competing for roster spot
Melvin 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 Cleveland 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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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Indians' Melvin Upton Jr.: Minor-league deal with Indians
Melvin Upton signed a minor-league deal with the Cleveland 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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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Melvin Upton Jr.: Cut loose by San Francisco
The Giants granted Melvin 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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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Giants' Melvin Upton Jr.: Returns to minor-league lineup
Melvin 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 San Francisco Giants' minor leagues unless another MLB club shows interest in him.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Giants' Melvin Upton Jr.: Hampered by shoulder injury
Melvin 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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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Giants' Melvin Upton Jr.: Activated from minor-league DL
Melvin 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 San Francisco 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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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Giants' Melvin Upton Jr.: Undergoes surgery on thumb ligament
Melvin Upton had surgery to repair a torn thumb ligament and will miss at least eight weeks, Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reportsUpton 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 San Francisco 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.