Joe Maddon On B.J. Upton

Bill Chastain has this from manager Joe Maddon on B.J. Upton's first spring training batting practice on Saturday morning:

"First time hitting within the group, just trying to turn up the intensity a little bit," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "[Head athletic trainer] Ronnie [Porterfield] felt by having him involved with the group on the field, he might just pick it up a little more as opposed to hitting on the back field by himself."

Upton underwent successful surgery to repair the labrum in his left shoulder on Nov. 11. And clearly, he felt no pain Saturday, as he sprayed line drives to all fields and sent several pitches over the fence.
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"There's been no setbacks," Maddon said. "He's doing well. When you talk to him, there's a smile. He's feeling good. So we don't know specifically when he'll be back, but he's on task. He should be right on target. I don't know if that will be the beginning of the season or slightly into the season, but everything is going well."