Upton opening season on injured list
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LOS ANGELES -- Justin Upton will begin the 2019 season on the injured list with turf toe, Angels manager Brad Ausmus announced Tuesday. It's unclear when the veteran outfielder will be able to return to action.
Upton, who did not join the team for Tuesday’s exhibition finale against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, sustained the injury to his left big toe in the first inning of Sunday's Freeway Series opener at Angel Stadium while attempting to brace himself against the outfield wall as he chased down Max Muncy's double to left field.
Upton missed most of Spring Training with right knee tendinitis. He returned to game action last week and only made 12 plate appearances in five exhibition contests.
“It’s tough to lose a guy like that to start the season,” said Angels center fielder Mike Trout. “We’ve just got to overcome it. Other guys have got to step up.”
Reserve outfielder Peter Bourjos -- who signed Minor League deal with the Angels this offseason and is expected to make the Opening Day roster -- is the most likely candidate to assume Upton’s role in left field in the interim. He has primarily played in center and right field throughout his nine years in the Majors but has played 43 games in left.
Ausmus wouldn't commit to Bourjos taking over as the club's starting left fielder, but acknowledged he's an option. Bourjos, who's in camp on a Minor League deal, still has to be added to the 40-man roster before he suits up on Opening Day.
"Right now we still have to get all the information on Upton, the time frame of the injury, before any final decisions are made," Ausmus said.
Upton is entering his second full season with the Angels, who acquired him in a trade with the Tigers in August 2017. He hit .257/.344/.463 with 30 home runs in 145 games last season.