WASHINGTON – A day after Braves left fielder Justin Upton reported feeling better, he woke feeling worse Friday and was scheduled to see a doctor before Friday night's game against the Nationals.
Upton has complained of dizziness and lightheadedness since coming out of a game Tuesday. His only action since then was a pinch-hit appearance Thursday.
“He’s not feeling good, so we’re going to get him checked out,” said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, who had thought until Friday that Upton might have some fluid in his ear and that he’d be OK in a couple of days. His view changed when Upton’s condition worsened Friday.
“He’s not feeling good, and he’s feeling terrible that he can’t get in the lineup,” Gonzalez said. “Now I think it’s time to test everything. He’s getting frustrated with the way his body feels and the way he feels, so I think it’s time for him to go get a full evaluation, whatever that may be — whether that’s an ear, nose and throat doctor, an ENT, I don’t know.”
Upton didn’t play Wednesday, then tested his condition Thursday afternoon when he took some swings and ran about eight sprints prior to the Braves’ batting practice before their series-opening win against the Nationals. After that Thursday session he told Gonzalez he still felt some lingering effects, but that he was better.
Gonzalez told him to take another day to rest Thursday, but asked him during that night’s game if he was OK to pinch-hit. Upton said yes, he was fine to pinch-hit. He grounded out to end the eighth inning.
“I want to get back on the field as soon as possible,” Upton said before Thursday’s game. “I just don’t know how it’s going to be. I also want to be at full capacity, helping the team, when I do get back out there.”
Upton was not made available to reporters before Friday’s game. Jordan Schafer was in the lineup in left field, batting eighth.
