J. Upton leaves with bruised knee - updated
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.”
