Mired in a season-long slump the Atlanta Braves have considered asking center fielder B.J. Upton about working out his issues in the minor leagues.
Upton signed a free agent deal for five years and $75 million with the Braves this off-season and is hitting .146/.230/245 with four home runs and eight RBI.
Based on his service time Upton could refuse the assignment, but clearly the Braves are past the point of casual concern. Braves manager Freddi Gonzalez said he has spoken with Upton, not about a minor league assignment, but about his absence from the lineup.
Upton is hitless in the Braves past seven games, and sat out of last nights game against Washingtion.
“In my own mind, you think about those things, but really I haven’t gotten to that point,” Gonzalez said. “I think there’s some logistics — contractual things and that sort of stuff — that they might not be able to do it that easy.”
