News | My Sports

Upton, 31, hit 30 home runs for the Angels in 2018 but was placed on the 10-day injured list only days before the 2019 season with turf toe.

Justin Upton injury update: Angels slugger to be activated, make season debut Monday

Angels left fielder Justin Upton, placed on the injured list before Opening Day with turf toe, will be activated and make his 2019 debut Monday against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

"It’ll be good to have him back," manager Brad Ausmus told reporters (via the Orange County Register). "Obviously he’s been an offensive performer for a long time. It’s a big bat to add to our lineup."

Upton, 31, hit 30 home runs for the Angels in 2018 but was placed on the 10-day injured list only days before the 2019 opener.

He has hit .333 with two homers and six RBIs in six minor-league rehab games and is expected to provide some much-needed pop for an Angels order that is 26th in majors with a .706 OPS from its left fielders.

Upton, who slashed .268/.348/.478 with 30 homers and 85 RBIs last season, his first with the Angels, had an .808 OPS in 2018, and that was nearly 20 points lower than his career .826 OPS.

According to the Register, the Angels "will have to make a difficult roster decision" to make a spot for Upton. Outfielders Brian Goodwin and Cesar Puello have performed unexpectedly well in Upton's absence and neither can be optioned. An infielder, such as Wilfredo Tovar or Luis Rengifo, also could be moved but that would leave the Angels with no one on the bench who plays second, third or shortstop.

Meanwhile, Upton won't be an everyday player at least in the near term as Ausmus plans to "ease him in a little bit," especially in a four-game series on Toronto's artificial surface.

The Angels (35-37) enter Monday's game in fourth place in the AL West.

Top Headlines