Looking Upton

The Upton brothers appear to be blossoming and back in form.

Justin Upton, who slumped in the .100s over much of April, has been the one consistently productive bat in the Diamondbacks order. Upton homered for the 10th time in Monday's 6-5 loss to the Dodgers, upping his RBI total to 33 as he scores for the 34th time. Imagine what those numbers might look like in a productive lineup.

B.J. Upton went 2-3 in a 6-2 Rays win over Kansas City, pushing his average to .212 and giving him a modest 6-game hitting streak. Upton also stole a base, giving him 16 for the season. In his slow progression since coming off the DL after shoulder surgery, his recent performance should give fantasy owners confidence to trust B.J. in their starting lineup again.

Upton "great" after Minor League game

Rays center fielder B.J. Upton, recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, successfully completed a Minor League game Thursday night.

"I feel great physically," Upton, 24, said. "I'm just trying to pan some things out with my swing right now."

Upton grounded out in the first inning and hit an infield flyout in the ninth. He also walked twice and was hit by a pitch that grazed his jersey.

Fantasy Impact: Upton returns to the Rays on Monday. He's on schedule with his recovery and is expected to make a major impact this season. Despite his modest power numbers in 2008, many forecasters expect a breakout 2009 after his postseason power binge. The jury is out Upton becoming a major slugger, but he'll continue to be a speed demon on the bases. We'll look for a .28-100-20-80-40 statline at the end of the season, which is very respectable.

Upton's upswing

B.J. Upton is Mr. This October after hitting his seventh home run of the postseason. Here's what he's accomplished so far in the 2008 playoffs.