The first-place Diamondbacks were dealt a scare on Tuesday night when star right fielder Justin Upton was forced from action after getting hit on the left elbow by a pitch. It turns out he’s just fine.
Upton was diagnosed with a mild left elbow contusion and is back in the Arizona starting lineup on Wednesday evening against the Nationals.
Here’s what the 23-year-old National League MVP candidate told the media during a pregame chat (via Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic):
“I’m just a little sore and I can play when I’m sore.”
Upton has posted a sparkling .298/.370/.544 slash line with 25 homers, 77 RBI and 19 steals through 548 plate appearances this season. He has also appeared in all 129 of the Diamondbacks’ games thus far.