Upton injures ankle

An already difficult season got a little worse for CF B.J. Upton when he had to leave Thursday night's game after injuring his left ankle in an outfield collision.

Upton was examined by team orthopedist Koco Eaton and officially diagnosed with a sprained ankle. X-rays were negative.

Manager Joe Maddon said Upton will get at least the next two games off, and the player said that assessment sounded about right.

"The moment I feel better and that I'm able to play, I'm back out there," Upton said. "We'll see how it goes the next couple days, see how it feels, and work from there."

Upton and LF Carl Crawford were both tracking a drive to deep left-center field by Dustin Pedroia and collided at the warning track. Crawford caught the ball, but Upton came down wrong on his left foot and rolled over hard on his ankle.

He immediately fell to the turf, face down, and was writhing in pain for a few minutes as Rays head trainer Ron Porterfield ran across the field to reach him. Upton eventually was able to get to his feet and walk slowly off the field.

2B Ben Zobrist replaced Upton in center and Akinori Iwamura entered the game at second.

All business

Maddon convened a closed-door meeting that lasted about 10 minutes before batting practice and said afterward the purpose was to discuss the clothing theme for the upcoming road trip.

But apparently there were more substantive matters mentioned as well - like a refresher on Maddon's usual themes such as the importance of focusing on only one game at a time.

And the wardrobe selection? The choice was left up to the players.

"My suggestion is all-plaid - the Herb Tarlek, 'WKRP in Cincinnati' all-plaid theme," Maddon said. "That got a few scowls, so I want to leave it open to the rest of the group. Somebody suggested the business trip with all suit-and-tie and that kind of stuff, which I'm fine with. I can match up. And somebody wants to go camo."

More help

The Rays added a little more depth Thursday, recalling IF Reid Brignac from Durham for his third big-league stint this year.

Maddon said he didn't want to get into a situation where Zobrist would have to play shortstop, and would rather have Brignac to back up Jason Bartlett. To that end, he said, Brignac will start one game of Monday's doubleheader in New York at short.

"Having a regular shortstop and not forcing Zobrist into that particular role right now, I thought would be wise if anything were to happen," Maddon said.

Odds and ends

Iwamura was scheduled to get Thursday off after leaving Wednesday's game early with some soreness in his left ankle area, but Maddon said Iwamura would be back in the lineup tonight. ... Durham OF Desmond Jennings went 7-for-7 Thursday night to lead the Bulls to a 14-3 win vs. Charlotte that clinched a playoff berth.

Marc Lancaster