ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay center fielder B.J. Upton thinks his surgically repaired left shoulder is progressing as expected, but there’s a chance he might not be ready to join the lineup on opening day.
The 24-year-old Upton had surgery on his non-throwing shoulder following the World Series to repair a torn labrum. While he and the Rays are optimistic about a full recovery, the outfielder thinks he could miss the first week of the season because the team plays its first two series in cold-weather cities.
The AL champions open April 6 in Boston and finish a six-game road trip in Baltimore. Upton thinks he might be able to play in the April 13 home opener against the New York Yankees.
“There’s no rush to it,” Upton said, adding the Rays medical staff told him that cold weather could pose an issue for the shoulder. “We just want to make sure I’m 100 percent before I get back on the field.”
Upton played much of the season with a sore shoulder that affected his offensive production. After hitting .273 with nine home runs in 531 at-bats during the regular season, he batted .288 with seven homers and 16 RBIs during the postseason.
Upton has not swung a bat since having surgery on Nov. 11, but he did some throwing with pitcher Scott Kazmir on Wednesday at Tropicana Field.
Although he hasn’t completely ruled out a return by opening day, Upton thinks the additions this offseason of outfielders Gabe Kapler, Matt Joyce and Pat Burrell give the Rays adequate depth to make up for his absence if the team has to begin the season without him.
“We’ve got some guys out there that can hold it down while I’m gone, so there’s definitely no need to rush,” Upton said.
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