B.J. Upton

Benches cleared in the top of the ninth inning of last night’s Rays-Red Sox game after Franklin Morales hit Luke Scott in the leg ... just directing the ball at his leg.” Maddon doesn’t expect any carryover when the two teams meet up ...  

Out Carlos Pena grounded out first to pitcher. None on with one out and B.J. Upton due up. Out B.J. Upton flied out to center. None on with two outs and Luke Scott due up. Out Luke Scott struck out looking to end the inning. Error-reached-base ...  

Runner on first with one out and Adrian Gonzalez due up. - Mike Aviles reached first on Drew Sutton`s fielding error. Runner on first with none out and Dustin Pedroia due up. - Luke Scott struck out looking to end the inning. - B.J. Upton flied out to center.  

But manager Joe Maddon lifted Shields after a one-out double by Jose Bautista, and Edwin Encarnacion knocked reliever Joel Peralta's fourth pitch over the left-centerfield wall to make it 4-2. They looked like they had a chance to win it in the ...  

Fitzgerald Cecilio – AHN Sports Reporter Tampa Bay, FL, United States (AHN Sports) – Center fielder B.J. Upton delivered a walk-off RBI double in the 11th inning to lift the Tampa Bay Rays over the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-4 Wednesday at Tropicana Field. Upton’s game-winning hit, his third of the game, handed the Rays a [...]  

B.J. Upton helped the Tampa Bay Rays continue their home dominance over Toronto. Upton hit an RBI double in the 11th inning and Tampa Bay beat the Blue Jays, 5-4, Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Fla. “I think I’m understanding the strike zone ...  

The Rays have Sean Rodriguez on the ballot at shortstop and Ben Zobrist at second base, along with: Carlos Pena at 1B, Evan Longoria at 3B, Jose Molina at catcher, Luke Scott at DH, and Desmond Jennings, B.J. Upton and Matt Joyce in the outfield.  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - B.J. Upton hit an RBI double in the 11th inning and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Wednesday. Rich Thompson was hit by a pitch from Darren Oliver (0-2) to start the 11th and scored on Upton's one-out ...  

B.J. Upton helped the Tampa Bay Rays continue their home dominance over Toronto. Upton hit an RBI double in the 11th inning and Tampa Bay beat the Blue Jays, 5-4, Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Fla. “I think I’m understanding the strike zone ...  

PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — B.J. Upton helped the Tampa Bay Rays continue their home dominance over Toronto. Upton hit an RBI double in the 11th inning and Tampa Bay beat the Blue Jays 5-4 on Wednesday. "I think I'm understanding the strike zone ...  

The first seven innings went well. James Shields was excellent, the offense drew a career high seven walks off opposing starter Ricky Romero, and there was little reason to worry. Then the eighth inning happened. After allowing a one out double to Jose Bautista, James Shields was pulled in favor of Joel Peralta with the Rays leading by two. In four pitches the lead was gone. As Edwin Encarnacion rounded the bases I couldn’t...  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- B.J. Upton hit an RBI double in the 11th inning and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Wednesday. Rich Thompson was hit by a pitch from Darren Oliver (0-2) to start the 11th and scored on Upton's one-out ...  

Editor's note: The temperature gauge is a Bill James-created statistic that measures how hot or cold hitters are. We will spotlight Red Sox and opposing team temperatures on game days. The Red Sox have been very hot as of late, winning 10 of ...  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. B.J. Upton hit an RBI double in the 11th inning and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Wednesday. Rich Thompson was hit by a pitch from Darren Oliver (0-2) to start the 11th and scored on Upton's one-out ...  

Joe Maddon laughs at 'conventional' lineupsCBSSports.com (blog)By Matt Snyder | Senior Baseball Blogger Pena is a first baseman with a .215 batting aveage, 55 strikeouts in 44 games, only 26 career stolen bases (in 1270 games) and good power. Conventional wisdom would say that leadoff is the absolute last place to ...and more »  

ST. PETERSBURG — B.J. Upton hit an RBI double in the 11th inning and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Wednesday. Rich Thompson was hit by a pitch from Darren Oliver (0-2) to start the 11th and scored on Upton's one-out ...  

B.J. Upton usually masks his emotions on the field ... The Rays (27-18) made their 41st error of the young season as Elliot Johnson’s fifth-inning miscue helped Toronto pull within 4-2. “The errors really need to go away,’’ said Maddon ...  

B.J. Upton hit an RBI double in the 11th inning and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Wednesday.  

B.J. Upton hit an RBI double in the 11th inning and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Wednesday.  

When B.J. Upton hit the game-ending double in the 11th inning to give the Rays a 5-4 win Wednesday, it sent the Blue Jays to their 15th consecutive series loss at Tampa Bay. The last time the Blue Jays won a series in Tampa Bay was in 2007, when they took ...  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- B.J. Upton helped the Tampa Bay Rays continue their home dominance over Toronto.  

B.J. Upton usually masks his emotions on the field, but Wednesday’s victory felt too good.  

B.J. Upton usually masks his emotions on the field, but Wednesday’s victory felt too good.  

B.J. Upton usually masks his emotions on the field, but Wednesday’s victory felt too good.  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- B.J. Upton of the Tampa Bay Rays has gotten a home run after a video review determined his fly ball struck an overhanging catwalk at Tropicana Field.  

B.J. Upton of the Tampa Bay Rays got a home run after a video review determined his ball struck an overhanging catwalk at Tropicana Field.  

Umpire Joe West ruled that the ball hit a suspended object beyond the "B" catwalk, which is a home run in the Trop ground rules. Nevertheless, Upton's fantasy owners will take it. It was his third longball of the season.  

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. B.J. Upton of the Tampa Bay Rays has gotten a home run after a video review determined his fly ball struck an overhanging catwalk at Tropicana Field. Upton hit a high fly to centre off Kyle Drabek in the first inning of Monday night ...  

I am a huge fan of the art of managing a major league team. Specifically, I am a huge fan of Joe Maddon and how he operates day in and day out. As we read in Jonah Keri's The Extra 2%, Joe Maddon came to Tampa from the Angels with a theory of how baseball should be played. He was brought to St. Petersburg for that purpose - to teach and guide the young players through the development phase and turn them into fundamentally sound...  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Little went right for the Tampa Bay Rays after B.J. Upton's video review homer. Kyle Drabek overcame command issues to win for the first time on the road this season, Yunel Escobar hit a tiebreaking homer and the Toronto ...  

The 2006 Tampa Bay Devil Rays were't a very good baseball team. They trotted out a starting rotation that included Casey Fossum, Tim Corcoran, and Jae Weong Seo. The bullpen was a who's who of turds. Tyler Walker led the team in saves, while Brian Meadows and Seth McClung were hot on his trail, while the meltdown of Chad Orvella was complete. The Devil Rays trotted out their share schleppy's, but there was some young talent that was...  

Eleven days after his scary outfield collision with teammate Desmond Jennings, B.J. Upton still hasn't been able to return to the Rays lineup. While he remains optimistic about opening day, manager Joe Maddon said he's in danger of running out of time.  

Manager Joe Maddon was trying to shock Peña out of another horrendous slump that stretched to 0-for-18 before his three-run blast extended the Rays' lead to 6-0. "Just trying to give him a different outlook on the day," Maddon said.  

Out Ben Zobrist flied out to left. None on with one out and B.J. Upton due up. Out B.J. Upton fouled out to first. None on with two outs and Matt Joyce due up. Double Matt Joyce singled to pitcher, advances to second on Henderson Alvarez's throwing error.  

Editor's note: The temperature gauge is a Bill James-created statistic that measures how hot or cold hitters are. We will spotlight Red Sox and opposing team temperatures on game days. The Tampa Bay Rays are starting to heat up as they carry a ...  

Wednesday night, B.J. Upton hurt himself in the fifth inning. In the sixth, this happened: Elliott Johnson entered the game at shortstop, and those other five guys changed positions. Only the Rays. Only Joe Maddon. Anyway, it didn't work.  

ST. PETERSBURG -- Chipper Jones attempted to field a hard-hit, one-hop shot hit by B.J. Upton in the third inning of the Braves' Interleague game with Rays on Friday, but the 40-year-old third-baseman had the ball hit his left calf. Upton ...  

As if the Rays needed anymore injuries, left fielder Desmond Jennings left Sunday's game with what the team revealed is a left knee sprain. It's the fourth leg injury the Rays have suffered so far this season, though one is more severe than the others: Luke Scott's sore hamstring, Evan Longoria's torn hamstring, B.J. Upton's tight quad and now Jennings' sprained knee. The injuries to Scott and Upton caused them to miss games but not...  

B.J. Upton singled and pinch-hitter Brandon Allen followed with a two-run home run to right field with one out in the ninth inning Thursday to give the Tampa Bay Rays a dramatic 4-3 walk-off victory oB.J. Upton singled and pinch-hitter Brandon Allen followed with a two-run home run to right field with one out in the ninth inning Thursday to give the Tampa Bay Rays a dramatic 4-3 walk-off victory over the Angels.  

"When you have all those expectations attached to you as a young player, we have no idea what that looks like, what that means," Maddon said. "And he's had that, and he's had to do a lot of his learning right here. I know I like what I'm seeing right now." That quote is from March 1st, 2012, but it could be from virtually any spring of Upton's career. He's been part of our lives since he was just 19, when he was called up to the majors far...  

On the play, B.J. Upton out at second to end the inning. Single Kelly Johnson singled to right. Runner on first with none out and Yunel Escobar due up. Out Yunel Escobar flied out to center. Runner on first with one out and Jose Bautista due up.  

CF B.J. Upton found himself batting second in the order Saturday for the second time in as many games, and manager Joe Maddon said he is inclined to have Upton bat there more often.Upton had two doubles in four at-bats Friday and drove in two runs ...  

I want to start by telling you how excited I am that the Dodgers were finally sold on Tuesday evening. The Magic Johnson led group bid a little over $2 billion for the Dodgers. What was surprising about the deal is that the new owners will pay CASH for the team. The major financing is coming from Mark Walter, the Chief Executive Officer of Guggenheim Partners, and the team will be aggressive next offseason. It is no coincidence...  

Joe Maddon says he's narrowed his choices down to two young pitchers: Alex Cobb and Chris Archer are the likely candidates to fill the void left in the Rays' rotation created by Jeff Niemann's injury, according to Rays manager Joe Maddon.  

Joel Peralta starts the inning for the Rays. - Luke Scott flied out to center to end the inning. - Matt Joyce struck out swinging. Runner on second with two outs and Luke Scott due up. - B.J. Upton stole second. Runner on second with one out and Matt Joyce ...  

BOX SCORE:  Nationals 8, Padres 5 Harper became the 10th teenager since 1990 to record a big-league home run. The others: Adrian Beltre, Alex Rodriguez, Andruw Jones, Aramis Ramirez, B.J. Upton, Edgar Renteria, Ivan (Pudge) Rodriguez, Justin Upton and Mike Trout.  

Going into Spring Training, I promised myself that I would not make a big deal out of any spring training performances or stats -- although J.P. Howell's success is testing me -- but that I would be happy if the Rays merely exited March with a full, healthy roster. With Opening Day a mere week and a half away, though, the Rays are still dealing with some injuries to key players. B.J. Upton has not recovered from his collision...  

SAN DIEGO -- Dodgers infielder Adam Kennedy and Rays manager Joe Maddon struck up a friendship during the six-year stretch (2000-2005) when Maddon served as manager Mike Scioscia's bench coach with the Angels and Kennedy was the club's second baseman.  

Update: Upton is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rangers, according to the Rays' official Twitter page. Recommendation: Upton has hit .318 in seven games since returning from the disabled list, but manager Joe Maddon will give him the ...  

Update: Upton was removed from Wednesday's game with tightness in his right quad, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Recommendation: Upton was reportedly taken out for "precautionary reasons," so hopefully this is not an injury that lingers.  

Uhh, yeah…but it’s not 1999 anymore either. Joe Maddon has never been one to adhere to conventional wisdom for the sake of adhering to conventional wisdom, which leads to the topic of the Rays’ No. 2 spot in the batting order. Right now there is a good chance that either Luke Scott or Carlos Pena will fill the second spot in the batting order. Using either of the sluggers in the second spot runs counter to conventional wisdom, a fact that...  

CF B.J. Upton left the game after five innings due to tightness in his right quad. "It's nothing serious, it really is not," manager Joe Maddon said. "He just cramped up a little bit." Upton was walking fine in the clubhouse. --Senior adviser Don Zimmer ...  

Most men wear suits and ties when they give an important speech. But Joe Maddon isn't one to do things the conventional way. Today, he spoke to the Tampa Chamber of Commerce wearing a bib. But in true Maddon style, his eccentric ways are for the greater good.  

May 8, 2012 - There's a funny Twitter feed called The Times Is On It, basically mocking The New York Times for being late to the party on a lot of stories (for example, being an unpaid intern can be a real drag). In fairness, while the Times ...  

"Probably will not go in that direction," manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday. The reason, Maddon said, is Davis is doing well in the bullpen. He's getting ready quicker, he's handling right-handers and left-handers, controlling the running game and ...  

333 overall. Upton was hitting .387 (12-for-31) in his last eight games. "I've seen a more aggressive swing," Rays manager Joe Maddon said when asked about the difference in Upton. "I've seen the bat head out front. I'd say that's primarily the ...  

Upton played in a minor-league doubleheader without setback on Wednesday. "B.J. definitely makes us a better team," manager Joe Maddon said. "We saw the way he finished the end of last season. It may take a little time to get him going, based on a sporadic ...  

B.J. Upton made the Minnesota Twins pay severely for their decision to challenge him in the middle of a pitcher's duel Saturday night, sending James Shields and a big Tropicana Field crowd home happy with a 4-1 victory.  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Rays have reinstated center fielder B.J. Upton from the 15-day disabled list. Upton had been sidelined with lower back soreness. He was hurt in an outfield collision with teammate Desmond Jennings in a spring ...  

ST. PETERSBURG — CF B.J. Upton returned to the Rays lineup Friday night, confident the back soreness that sidelined him since a mid March outfield collision is behind him. Upton, activated from the disabled list, started hit seventh, going 0 ...  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have reinstated center fielder B.J. Upton from the 15-day disabled list. Upton had been sidelined with lower back soreness. He was hurt in an outfield collision with teammate Desmond Jennings in a spring ...  

Update: Upton (back) played both games of a doubleheader Wednesday for Double-A Montgomery and it is possible he joins the Rays tonight in Toronto, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Recommendation: It still seems more likely that Upton will be ...  

He is 5-4 with a 3.47 ERA in 13 starts against the Rays. CF B.J. Upton believes he did his teammates right while on a seven-game rehabilitation stint with Class A Charlotte and Double A Montgomery, assuming the tradition of providing the ...  

The word "Tampa" may mean" sticks of fire" in the language of the Calusa, a Native American tribe that once lived south of today’s Tampa Bay. This might be a reference ... A large downtown parking garage near the old fort site is called ...  

So when the Rays received word of a patient at All Children's battling a life-threatening illness who wanted to ... but he was done after allowing a single and a double, leading to the run that snapped his scoreless streak at 191/3 innings.  

It was his fourth home run of the season. Ben Zobrist walked, and Jeff Keppinger and B.J. Upton followed with singles. Upton's hit scored Zobrist and gave the Rays a 4-0 lead. After Hamilton's RBI grounder in the first, Tampa Bay picked up a run ...  

ST. PETERSBURG -- B.J. Upton left Wednesday night's game against the Mariners prior to the sixth inning as a precautionary measure after he experienced tightness in his right quadriceps. Upton, who missed the first 13 games of the season with ...  

ST. PETERSBURG -- B.J. Upton left Wednesday night's game against the Mariners prior to the sixth inning as a precaution, after he experienced tightness in his right quadriceps. On Thursday morning, Upton sounded like he would be fine. "Last ...  

B.J. Upton has completed a brief minor-league rehab assignment and is expected to make his season debut tomorrow. Upton has been sidelined since the middle of spring training when a March 14 collision with teammate Desmond Jennings left him with an injured back. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that Upton played both…  

Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon announced Wednesday that center fielder B.J. Upton will begin the regular season on the 15-day disabled list and pitcher James Shields will start Opening Day against the New York Yankees. The Rays announced ...  

“You never handle your luggage in The Show; somebody else carries your bags.” For road life as a major leaguer, those are Crash Davis’ perks of paradise in “Bull Durham.” Mark Cunningham/MLB/Getty ImagesJoe Maddon is watching what his ...  

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. said that Ryan Howard (Achilles) could be cleared for more baseball activities after seeing a specialist on Friday. Howard has been limited to strength exercises and some basic on-field work since having stitches ...  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- James Shields carried a three-hitter into the ninth inning, B.J. Upton had a key two-run single and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 4-1 on Saturday night. Shields (3-0) allowed one run and five hits over eight ...  

James Shields carried a three-hitter into the ninth inning, B.J. Upton had a key two-run single and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 4-1 on Saturday night. Shields (3-0) allowed one run and five hits over eight-plus innings while winning his ...  

Tampa Bay Rays center fielder B.J. Upton has been reinstated from the 15-day disabled list and will make his season debut Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Upton, who had been sidelined with lower back soreness, suffered the injury following ...  

Back in the lineup, B.J. Upton appears ready to once again contribute for the Tampa Bay Rays. Coming off a 2011 season where he hit 23 home runs and drove in 81, Upton began this year on the disabled list with a lower back strain. He went 0 for 3 during ...  

The Tampa Bay Rays will begin the season shorthanded, as center fielder B.J. Upton won't be available for opening day. Rays manager Joe Maddon told reporters Wednesday that Upton would be placed on the disabled list because of a back injury.  

ST. PETERSBURG B.J. Upton made the Minnesota Twins pay severely for their decision to challenge him in the midst of a pitcher's duel Saturday night, sending James Shields and a big Tropicana Field crowd home happy with a 4-1 victory. Shields improved to 3 ...  

Kevin Youkilis responded Monday morning to statements Red Sox ... CSNBayArea.com's Andrew Baggarly reports that Brian Wilson will undergo season-ending surgery to repair structural damage in his right elbow. Wilson will get a second opinion from Dr ...  

The Tampa Bay Rays today have sent 7-year Major League veteran B.J. Upton to Montgomery to continue his minor league rehab stint with three games with the Biscuits. Upton, 27, will play all nine innings Monday and Tuesday as an outfielder before concluding ...  

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Tampa Bay Rays today have sent 7-year Major League veteran B.J. Upton to Montgomery to continue his minor league rehab stint with three games with the Biscuits. Upton, 27, will play all nine innings Monday and Tuesday as an ...  

B.J. Upton knew his return from a back injury could be tough, and it was. Josh Willingham extended his season-opening hitting streak to 14 games with a go-ahead three-run double and the Minnesota Twins beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 on Friday night.  

Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon announced Wednesday that center fielder B.J. Upton will begin the regular season on the 15-day disabled list and pitcher James Shields will start Opening Day against the New York Yankees. The Rays announced Tuesday that ...  

Joyce cut the Rays’ deficit to 2-1 during the fifth on ... Tampa Bay center fielder B.J. Upton was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list and utility man Stephen Vogt was optioned to Triple-A Durham before the game. Upton hurt his lower ...  

ST. PETERSBURG, FL—Saying he finds the defensive positioning that has been standard in baseball for well over 100 years "staid" and "primitive," Rays manager Joe Maddon revealed Monday he is deep in the process of creating an exciting new ...  

"My heart was going a mile a minute," admitted Vogt, whose whirlwind callup occurred because the Rays can use an extra bat with outfielders B.J. Upton and Sam Fuld on the disabled list. Rays manager Joe Maddon said Vogt will play left field and ...  

BOSTON –– They are known for their quirky personalities. They are known for their creative managing styles. They are known to savor the spotlight, soaking up each moment that cameras are rolling. In many ways, Bobby Valentine and Joe Maddon ...  

ST. PETERSBURG - B.J. Upton does not like going to hospitals, even when it involves his own family. So when the Rays received word of a patient battling a life-threatening illness at All Children's who wanted to meet Upton, he reluctantly agreed ...  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — James Shields carried a three-hitter into the ninth inning, B.J. Upton had a key two-run single and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 4-1 on Saturday night. Shields (3-0) allowed one run and five hits over eight-plus ...  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - B.J. Upton knew his return from a back injury could be tough, and it was. Josh Willingham extended his season-opening hitting streak to 14 games with a go-ahead three-run double and the Minnesota Twins beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 on ...  

#joemaddon The Rays like to have fun, and nothing screams fun like booty shorts. For the Rays' pregame workout on Saturday, the entire team decided to don short pants, because they're a bunch of guys! Hanging out together! Showing a little thigh! More »  

A two-strike bunt? Foul it off and it goes down as a strike out. Inning over. Scoring threat over. Rays manager Joe Maddon called for the bunt. Surprised? "It shouldn't at this point," Elliot Johnson said. It was Johnson who bunted during that ...  

Joe Maddon is not that superstitious. Maddon’s worry is now a bit of a concern as the otherwise loaded Rays have to deal with two early-season injuries to a pair of outfielders — B.J. Upton (back, expected to be out for a couple of weeks) and Sam Fuld ...  

Ready to update your fantasy baseball cheat sheets? Before Diamond Market can sell the players in your rotisserie league's free-agent pool, Fantasy Baseball Diamond Mining polishes them for fantasy baseball drafts. It's time to dig for fantasy baseball ...  

I haven't been able to do that yet." According to the MLB.com report, Upton met with manager Joe Maddon and executive vice president Andrew Friedman Wednesday night, and that's when it was determined to start the 2012 season on the DL.  

Joe Maddon tries to stay one step ahead of the crowd. Competing against the deep-pocket New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, he is looking for an edge that shrinks a little each year. "Teams are doing to us what we've been doing to them," the ...  

He gave up a single to B.J. Upton and the home run to Upton ... That was enough for starter Jerome Williams who gave the Angels seven strong innings, benefitting from two rally-choking defensive plays. He made the first one himself after ...  

A's manager Bob Melvin announced Tuesday that Grant Balfour will serve as the team's closer. Balfour beat out the older and more experienced Brian Fuentes for the job this spring. A native of Sydney, Australia, Balfour registered a 2.47 ERA and 59/20 K/BB ...  

He hit .298 with 17 home runs, 35 doubles and 105 RBIs. He also displayed a great amount of defensive versatility (a trait manager Joe Maddon loves) in 2011 when he appeared in 50 games as a catcher, 50 games in the outfield, 20 games at DH and 13 games at ...  

Sam Fuld will head to Cleveland on Sunday to have his injured right wrist examined Monday, and if he needs surgery, that could take place as early as Tuesday. And B.J. Upton's lower back issue has mandated that he begin the season on the disabled list.  

Opportunities for non-roster infielder Will Rhymes and outfielders Jesus Feliciano and Jeff Salazar might come sooner than anticipated, because of the door opened by injuries to B.J. Upton and Sam Fuld. "I feel sad," Feliciano said. "Those guys ...  

Opportunities for non-roster infielder Will Rhymes and outfielders Jesus Feliciano and Jeff Salazar might come sooner than anticipated, because of the door opened by injuries to B.J. Upton and Sam Fuld. "I feel sad," Feliciano said. "Those guys ...  

With B.J. Upton beginning the season on the disabled list, it was a good sign for the Rays, as Jennings is expected to start in center until Upton's return. Jennings has played center in just 12 games for the Rays over two seasons. Jennings said ...  

Daniel Bard, the former top relief pitching prospect who ... With the bases loaded Albers was called upon to face B.J. Upton. He promptly fell behind 0-3 and then he served up a flat fastball which Upton crushed to left center for grand slam.  

then here comes the second series," Moore said. "Obviously, as a team we're focused on the first series of the season then [Niemann and him in Detroit]." Upton to begin season on disabled list PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- B.J. Upton told reporters on ...  

Johnson couldn't come through in two opportunities with a ... We've worked pretty hard to get to this point," manager Joe Maddon said. "We've talked about it a lot. We try to anticipate things in advance, and I think we've done a good job ...  

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- B.J. Upton told reporters on Wednesday that he will begin the season on the disabled list. Upton, who has not played in a Major League exhibition game since a March 14 outfield collision with Desmond Jennings, said his ...  

Ben Zobrist and Joe Maddon. Still only 27, Upton ranks second on the franchise’s all-time list in games, runs, doubles and stolen bases, and first in walks and strikeouts. Still it felt a little strange to be back at the Trop on Friday ...  

Manager Joe Maddon downplayed the accomplishment of winning his 500th game with the Rays, saying the credit should go to the players. "Honestly, until (VP communications) Rick Vaughn brought it up a couple days ago, I had no clue this was going on,'' Maddon said.  

BOSTON -- Manager Joe Maddon claimed his 500th win with the Rays thanks to their 1-0 victory over the Red Sox on Monday afternoon. "Honestly, until [it was called to my attention], I had no idea this was going on," Maddon said. "It really speaks ...  

With the Rays' outfield in flux due to injuries to starting centerfielder B.J. Upton and super-sub Sam Fuld, and Desmond Jennings not yet 100 percent, Maddon appreciates a guy like…Click to Continue »  

Better baseball players make you a lot smarter manager ... His 100th win came in the middle of the 2007 season. No. 400 came Sept. 24, 2010, against the Mariners at Tropicana Field. "Congratulations to him. That's pretty cool," Evan Longoria ...  

Brignac is currently dealing with a plantar fascia condition in his right foot and Rays manager Joe Maddon confirmed Thursday that the injury "has a chance" to impact his availability for Opening Day. Johnson, who is out of options, would likely function ...  

So when manager Joe Maddon discusses the Rangers, he gives them their due, but he does not place them on a pedestal. "They're a really good team, just like we are," Maddon said. "They're off to a really good start. We've had some really good ...  

If the first two games of the season are any indication, some of his teammates may have a similar issue. Rays manager Joe Maddon has moved his infield into various positions in both of the Rays’ wins, including last night’s 8-6 victory over the Yankees ...  

Normally Joe Maddon likes to get his players "wet," or into games, quickly after joining the team. But Allen has not yet been used in three games entering Wednesday night's contest against the Angels. Maddon explained why. "I'd love to," the ...  

The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.comRays confident they have what it takes to play deep into OctoberWashington PostYou certainly won't upset Joe Maddon's confident bunch. There may be teams with more star power and money, but none enters 2012 with loftier expectations than the Rays, who have earned postseason berths three of the past four seasons despite one of the ...Lafayette College alum Joe Maddon gives an assist to Leopards baseball...  

ESPNFor Rays, few decisions left in final stretch of campTbo.comThe rest of Hellickson's teammates enjoyed what manager Joe Maddon referred to as the "all-star break." So, that must mean the Rays open the second half of the Grapefruit League season today against the Marlins in Jupiter. That gives Maddon and the ...Tampa Bay Rays Roster Battles: 3 Most Intriguing Spring Position BattlesBleacher ReportRays project to win 93 games ... or moreESPN...  

Manager Joe Maddon hinted there could be some changes coming today or Wednesday to the roster, which otherwise appeared set with OF Jeff Salazar getting the final spot.   Asked about changes, Maddon replied, "Not yet,' then said executive VP Andrew Friedman was working on several possibilities, both internal and external. "We're thinking about some things,'' Maddon said. "Later today, maybe ...  

I received an advanced copy of the newest edition of HBO's "Real Sports" and as I wrote about the other day in the print version of The Morning Call, the town of Hazleton is featured quite prominently in the feature on Tampa manager Joe Maddon.  

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Joe Maddon has never been one to adhere to conventional wisdom for the sake of adhering to conventional wisdom, which leads to the topic of the Rays' No. 2 spot in the batting order. Right now there is a good chance that ...  

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Before Thursday's game against the Phillies, Rays manager Joe Maddon said Elliot Johnson needed to tap into his power source a bit more. "The big thing with Elliot is we just try to get him more offensively to become contact ...  

FORT MYERS | Wade Davis is still a starting pitcher. Manager Joe Maddon made that point several times Tuesday, and Davis said that's how he still views himself. But Davis will at least begin this season in the bullpen, and as a long reliever at ...  

JUPITER, Fla. -- Joe Maddon wears No. 70 in the present tense. But back in the day, it was a different story. "Everything," Maddon said, "was '12.'" That would be the No. 12 worn by Joe Namath, the legendary football icon who appealed to Maddon ...  

JUPITER, Fla. -- Joe Maddon learned something about Wade Davis on Tuesday. "The moral of the story," Maddon said, "is to hit him in the foot hard with a blunt object before he goes out to pitch." That's because everything seemed to click for ...  

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Monday morning, Joe Maddon said that the Rays' lack of offense in spring training was somewhat worrisome. Monday afternoon, the Rays scored seven times in the first three innings against the Twins, and ended up winning 10-4.  

After the Rays' 7-6 walkoff victory Friday night, Rays manager Joe Maddon quickly pointed out to reporters—and to his Twitter followers—the difference between spring training and the regular season. Maddon likes to use the word "thick" as a ...  

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer Sunday, May 6, 2012 ST. PETERSBURG — LF Desmond Jennings ' status for Tuesday's game against the Yankees is in question after he left Sunday's 9-5 loss to Oakland after the second inning with left knee soreness. Manager Joe Maddon wasn't sure what the extent of Jennings' injury was or how long he would be out, saying he'd know more today. He believed the injury ...  

Update: Upton (quad) expects to return to the lineup Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.  

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Lance Berkman has also been placed on the DL after ... and these injuries can be particularly tricky for 30-somethings. Just ask Derek Jeter and Jimmy Rollins.  

James Shields carried a three-hitter into the ninth inning, B.J. Upton had a key two-run single and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 4-1 on Saturday night.  

After Friday's game, the Rays also optioned infielder Reid Brignac to Durham to make room for first baseman/outfielder Brandon Allen, who was claimed off waivers on Thursday from Oakland.  

The main issue from the collision is back tightness, which Upton said “won’t loosen up.” Sam Fuld is also injured and possibly facing shoulder surgery, so the Rays’ outfield will be thin initially.  

The Tampa Bay Rays have reinstated center fielder B.J. Upton from the 15-day disabled list.  

On Thursday, March 15 the Lafayette baseball team headed south to Charlotte Sports Park as guests of Rays' Manager Joe Maddon '76. | Photo Gallery  

In 2008 the Tampa Bay Devil Rays changed their name to the Tampa Bay Rays and since then the Rays franchise has made great strides towards becoming one of the premier organizations in the Major Leagues.  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- The Tampa Bay Rays have reinstated center fielder B.J. Upton from the 15-day disabled list.  

And Tim Tebow doesn't have the ma'ams to pull off shorts. fat-leaveher  

Joe Maddon tries to stay one step ahead of the crowd.Click to Continue »  

B.J. Upton knew his return from a back injury could be tough, and it was.  

B.J. Upton knew his return from a back injury could be tough, and it was.  

B.J. Upton knew his return from a back injury could be tough, and it was.  

B.J. Upton knew his return from a back injury could be tough, and it was.Click to Continue »  

B.J. Upton knew his return from a back injury could be tough, and it was.  

Another day, another lineup for manager Joe Maddon.  

Another day, another lineup for manager Joe Maddon.  

Another day, another lineup for manager Joe Maddon.  

Maddon starstruck in meeting 'Broadway Joe'  

Maddon starstruck in meeting 'Broadway Joe'