Another day, another Los Angeles Angels player done for the season. On Friday, it was outfielder Justin Upton who gave up the ghost for 2019, just a day after Shohei Ohtani got the same verdict.
Upton has patellar tendinitis in his right knee. He had an MRI earlier this week after complaining of pain, and it revealed the condition. He’ll receive a platelet injection but needs six weeks of recovery.
Like Ohtani, the Angels expect Upton to be fully healthy in time for spring training.
Justin Upton’s season is officially over. He has patella tendinitis. He’ll have a PRP injection next week. After 6 weeks, he’ll be fully cleared to work out. #Angels
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) September 14, 2019
A trying season (individual)
Like the Angels, Upton had problems even getting started this season. He missed the first 71 games because of turf toe suffered in spring training and was limited to just 63 games total.
Upton’s totals of 12 home runs and 40 RBIs were his lowest since his rookie season in 2007, when he only played 43 games.
The #Angels will be without Justin Upton again https://t.co/l3nTHcn4nq
— Maria Torres (@maria_torres3) September 14, 2019
A trying season (team)
Upton’s absence is just another blow for a team that already has dealt with Ohtani’s offseason Tommy John surgery, a disappointing season and, lately, Mike Trout being out with an irritated nerve in his right foot.
On a more serious note, there was Tyler Skaggs’ death in July and the resulting autopsy and investigation.
The Angels are eliminated from playoff contention and one loss away from being guaranteed a fourth straight losing season and fifth straight season out of the playoffs. During the career of superstar Mike Trout, they’ve made the playoffs once, in 2014, and the Royals swept them in the first round.
It hasn’t been for lack of trying. The Angels have paid high-priced free agents, given Trout a big extension and even won the Ohtani lottery.
But after another lost season, it’s time to wonder when Orange County will be able to see a playoff team again.
So the #Angels out for the rest of the season are:
Cam Bedrosian
Griffin Canning
Felix Peña
Zack Cozart
Justin Upton
Shohei Ohtani
And currently injured Angels are:
Max Stassi
Tommy La Stella
Mike Trout
— nmbaseball52 (@nmbaseball52) September 14, 2019
