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Rays' Upton May Miss Opening Day

Tribune photo by CHRIS URSO

Upton was hampered by shoulder problems last season but is encouraged by the results of offseason surgery.

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By MARC LANCASTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 14, 2009

Updated: 01/15/2009 01:29 am

ST. PETERSBURG - B.J. Upton doesn't sound optimistic about his chances of being in the Rays' Opening Day lineup, but he expects to be much more effective at the plate whenever he does return.

A little over two months removed from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, Upton has yet to pick up a bat. He said Wednesday after a light workout at Tropicana Field that he hopes to be able to do so within a couple of weeks, but he plans to take his time and make sure he's completely healthy before rejoining the Rays' lineup.

"It's coming along a lot faster than we thought it would, but at the same time, we can't rush it," Upton said. "Every time I come in, it feels better and better, so as long as we can keep doing what we're doing right now, it should be good."

Upton said he hoped he would be ready for Opening Day at Boston on April 6, but said it was more likely he would make his season debut the following Monday for the Rays' home opener against the Yankees. That delay not only would allow an extra week of healing, it also would keep him out of potentially chilly temperatures in Boston and Baltimore that could have a detrimental effect on his shoulder.

Either way, Upton knows he'll be far more comfortable at the plate this season than he was in 2008. He didn't publicize the fact that he was playing with pain in his non-throwing shoulder throughout the season, choosing to play through it even though it likely played a factor in him having trouble driving the ball as he had in previous seasons.

Upton hit only nine homers in 531 regular-season at-bats before exploding for seven longballs over 11 games in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Upton hopes to regain his status as a consistent power threat in 2009, and he feels good about his chances considering the progress he has already seen in his shoulder.

"It actually feels like there's something there," he said. "All year it was kind of weak and it kind of felt like it didn't have anything behind it, but since the surgery it's come along and it's definitely getting stronger."

The Rays plan to ease Upton along slowly in spring training, limiting his swings even as he does all of his usual work in the field. Upton expects to see plenty of time in minor-league games as he gets his swing back into shape toward the end of spring training.

That will free up more opportunities for the Rays' other outfielders to get ready, including those who will back him up until he's back to full strength. He said the presence of Gabe Kapler, Matt Joyce and some of the other new additions will make it easier to take his time in returning.

"We've got some guys out there that can hold it down while I'm gone" he said, "so there's definitely no need to rush."

Reporter Marc Lancaster can be reached at (813) 259-7227.

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