Upton gets some work at first base
ARLINGTON, TEXAS >> The Angels’ lack of infield depth is causing manager Joe Maddon to get creative.
Justin Upton was taking ground balls at first base before Thursday’s series finale in Texas, although Maddon said it’s more in case of emergency than for a position switch.
The Angels currently have just four healthy infielders: first baseman Phil Gosselin, second baseman David Fletcher, shortstop José Iglesias and third baseman Jack Mayfield.
Jared Walsh is on the injured list. Luis Rengifo, Kean Wong and Matt Thaiss have all been up recently, but each is currently back at Triple-A.
Further complicating the situation, this weekend the Angels will play at Dodger Stadium without the DH, so Maddon wanted to be prepared for double-switch scenarios.
Catcher Kurt Suzuki has done a little work at first in the past, and outfielder Adam Eaton is also expected to get some work at first also.
“With Goose being out there pretty much all the time, if something were to happen there, I’m concerned,” Maddon said. “Game in progress, if you have to double-switch, if you’re behind, there’s a lot of different things you would do. So I wanted (Upton) to get some ground balls.”
Although one day of ground balls for a possible late-inning scenario in a National League park is not a dramatic shift for Upton, it does beg the question about whether Upton could become even a semi-regular first baseman.
The Angels now have Brandon Marsh and Jo Adell in the big leagues. When Mike Trout returns, the Angels’ outfield will be crowded. If Upton could play some first base — perhaps spelling Walsh against a tough left-handed pitcher — the Angels could have some more options.
Upton has already dropped into a platoon role in the outfield, with Maddon splitting one spot between him and Eaton. Upton figures to play against lefties and Eaton against righties.
Upton is 7 for 46 (.152) since returning from a back injury a couple of weeks ago. Before spending a month on the IL, Upton had been one of the hottest hitters on the team, getting most of his starts in the leadoff spot.
Maddon said he’s considered returning Upton to the leadoff spot, but right now he prefers Fletcher there. Fletcher had most of his 26-game hitting streak batting leadoff, although he’s cooled lately too.
“I (moved Upton to leadoff) in the first place because we needed a boost and I thought it would help him,” Maddon said. “I have thought about it. But I don’t think that I’m ready to do that right now. I think Fletcher is doing a good job. I just think as J-Up gets some more atbats right now, he’s actually feeling pretty good, just missing some balls. So let’s just see how it plays out.”
Upton