LAKELAND, Fla. -- Justin Upton didn't care that it was a fifth-inning at-bat amid the dog days of Spring Training. As his popup off Mets reliever Fernando Salas sailed harmlessly toward first base with runners at the corners and two outs, Upton slammed his bat into the base line with regular-season authority.
It was one Spring Training at-bat -- and this spring, he's had a lot. He doesn't take them off.
"You know, some springs you feel it earlier. Some springs you feel it later," Upton said. "At the end of the day, you have to play and you have to seek it.