J. Upton nursing sore right hand

Braves left fielder Justin Upton was out of the lineup for the second consecutive time Sunday afternoon because of a sore right hand, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez is hoping with those two days off, followed by a scheduled off day Monday, Upton will be OK to return Tuesday in the first game of a two-game series in Kansas City.

“With the off day (Saturday), today and tomorrow with a scheduled day off, we can really turn the corner and be fine,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez didn’t rule Upton out Sunday until Upton arrived at Miller Park and took some swings in the indoor cage to test the hand out. Gonzalez said Upton has been bothered by it for a few days. He also said Upton would be available Sunday in an emergency but his goal was to stay away from using him.

Upton has struggled at the plate since a torrid April when he hit 12 home runs. Upton is hitting .208 (35-for-168) with three home runs and 54 strikeouts in 46 games since May 1.

With Upton out, Gonzalez used the same lineup for the second consecutive day, which was somewhat unusual for a manager who has used 60 different lineups in the first 77 games. Gonzalez insinuated after the game on Saturday when the Braves were shut out for the second consecutive day that the lineup would change, but with Upton still ailing he changed his mind.

Those 60 different lineups account for injuries and rest days as well as hitters enduring hot and cold streaks. It does not account for the pitcher. Entering Sunday, the Braves are tied for second in the NL East with the Mets for the second-most lineups used, behind the Marlins who had used 68.