Brad Ausmus Provides Incredibly Encouraging Update on Justin Upton's Injury Recovery
By Michael Luciano
Even amid injuries to Shohei Ohtani, Andrelton Simmons, and Justin Upton, the Los Angeles Angels have managed to tread water and not look totally out of sync for two months. They're not setting the world on fire, but a 29-32 record with Brian Goodwin getting major playing time is a win.
Luckily for Mike Trout and the Angels, Upton appears to be on the verge of a return to action, as Brad Ausmus indicated that he is close to a rehab assignment.
Justin Upton started his live BP today, Brad Ausmus said. Even smacked a couple #dingers. Brad Ausmus said he’d need less than 50 PAs in a rehab assignment to be ready.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) June 5, 2019
Acquired from the Detroit Tigers in 2017 for pennies on the dollar, Upton cranked 30 home runs during his first full season in Anaheim. With Simmons and Ohtani on the IL, the Angels were trotting out players like Luis Renfigo and Kevan Smith to provide protection for Trout and Albert Pujols.
Something tells me that pitchers will have a little bit more fear for the 31-year-old Upton, who has 286 career home runs.
Justin Upton has caught fire in a big way for the Halos pic.twitter.com/drrXRJOX6q
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 12, 2018
For as much (often deserved) crap that the Angels get for not giving Mike Trout any help, a batting order featuring Trout, Pujols, Ohtani, and Upton sounds pretty enticing.