PHOENIX – Still bothered by a sore left thumb, Justin Upton was expected to get an MRI on Tuesday afternoon, and manager Kirk Gibson did not dismiss the possibility that Upton could be placed on the disabled list to allow the injury to completely heal.
"At some point, you have to think long-term. If he keeps beating on it, it's not going to get better. Then it's something we'd probably consider," Gibson said of the disabled list.
Upton suffered the injury while sliding into second base in an attempt to break up a double play on April 8 and has not been productive since. He is hitting .212 with two doubles and no RBI this season while playing nine of 10 games.
Upton is coming off his best year, having made the NL All-Star team and won a Silver Slugger award by hitting .289 with 39 doubles, 31 home runs and 88 RBI. He stole 21 bases and had career highs in all four categories.
"We know what he is capable of doing. We have to get him to that point. We have to be smart about that," Gibson said.
Upton was to see D-backs hand specialist Dr. Don Sheridan on Tuesday afternoon. The D-backs did not do any tests after the original injury because it was on the tip of the thumb, Gibson said.
“We’ll see what he (Sheridan) recommends,” Gibson said.
Upton was unavailable Tuesday, but spoke briefly before the game Monday.
"It’s nagging me, but I’d rather be in the lineup than sit down. It’s one of those things – I just have to go out and tough it out," he said.
Upton was asked if he was concerned the injury might have ill effects long term, similar to what Chris Young went through with his wrist/thumb injury in the second half of 2011.
"I hope not," he said.
Upton was held out of the D-backs’ first game after the injury on April 10 at San Diego, but had played every game since then until Tuesday. He went just 5 for 24 since the injury.
"He's not swinging the bat well," Gibson said. "I think it hurts him. He's trying to fight his way through it. He slid the other night, and he pounded it again. You get jammed when (the ball) hits the bat a certain way," Gibson said.
"Just imagine if you had a bruise on your arm and somebody came by a couple of times a day and hit it. It’s not going to go away. So that's what we’re up against."
Gerardo Parra, who has five hits in his last 10 at-bats, started in right field Tuesday, accentuating the D-backs’ outfield depth.
"I'd rather have 'J-Up' in the lineup. I'd rather not use the depth," Gibson said.
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