Report: Melvin Upton Jr. won’t open season with Blue Jays

MLB insider Jonah Keri joins Blair and Brunt for his A.L. playoff predictions, leaving the Blue Jays out based on the “horrible scenarios” at both first base and left field.

Mike Johnston April 1, 2017, 6:48 PM

Outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. won’t open the 2017 season with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to a report from ESPN’s Buster Olney.

Sources: The Jays are looking at alternatives to Melvin Upton, Jr. for their roster, although they have not made a final decision.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) April 1, 2017

Bottom line: Melvin Upton, Jr. won't be with the Jays for Opening Day.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) April 1, 2017

Upton added speed, versatility and some roster depth when he was acquired by the Blue Jays from the San Diego Padres in July 2016 for Hansel Rodriguez. The 32-year-old hit .196/.261/.318/.578 in 165 regular-season plate appearances for Toronto in 2016 but was quiet in the playoffs.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said in early March the team was considering going with a platoon of Upton and Ezequiel Carrera in left field.

Upton hit a home run Saturday in the Blue Jays’ pre-season finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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