Justin Upton had to leave Tuesday’s game after fouling a ball off the outside of his right knee in the fourth inning. He was diagnosed with a bruised right knee and is considered day-to-day, the Braves announced.

Upton said he might be able to return as early as Wednesday.

“If I can run, I’m going to play,” Upton said.

Upton drew a walk in the plate appearance and jogged gingerly toward first base, drawing Braves trainer Jeff Porter and manager Fredi Gonzalez out of the Braves dugout.

He jogged a little bit up the right field line for Porter and then left the game. He was replaced by his brother B.J. Upton, who pinch ran and stayed in the game in center field.

After the game, he sounded like a guy frustrated for having to deal with another nagging injury. He has missed time with calf and hamstring cramping and a back muscle strain, and he got hit in the hand two weeks ago by Cleveland’s Ubaldo Jimenez.

“Just stupid,” Upton said. “Swinging at bad pitches and you pay for it.”

About the Author

Keep Reading

Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos has noted in the past there’s value in spending dollars rather than surrendering young talent. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Featured

Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez