Upton out for opener

Not exactly a big secret, but Rays manager Joe Maddon said B.J. Upton won't be ready by opening day.

"I would say no," Maddon said before Sunday's game with the visiting Yankees.

Upton, who suffered a bone bruise on his left hand when struck by a pitch Saturday in a minor league game, will not be ready in two weeks when the Rays open the season at Boston.

Upton's progress has been slowed this spring by offseason shoulder surgery. He started playing games last Wednesday, and those were for three innings in minor league games.

The injury will slow Upton's comeback.

With the injury to Fernando Perez, the Rays could open the season with Ben Zobrist in center field.