Outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. isn't giving up on his shot with the San Francisco Giants, according to his younger brother, Detroit Tigers left fielder Justin Upton.
"He wants to play in the big leagues and help any team that he can," Justin told the San Francisco Chronicle's Henry Schulman. "At the end of the day, this is the highest level and he wants to play here."
Melvin signed a minor-league contract with the Giants after the Toronto Blue Jays released him on April 2. He recently completed a two-month rehab following surgery for a thumb ligament tear suffered during extended spring training shortly after he joined the Giants. Melvin made his only appearance with Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday and has been out since then after a recurring of shoulder irritation he experienced in the spring.
"It stinks for him because he felt like he would have been on track to help the ball club," Justin said. "Anytime you get injured and have surgery, you’re going to miss that opportunity."
When the Giants signed Melvin, 32, they were looking for a an experienced outfielder to back up Jarrett Parker and hoped to contend, Schulman writes. Entering Thursday 23 games out of first in the NL West (34-52), San Francisco has shifted to looking at younger players, such as Austin Slater, who's currently the everyday left fielder.
Melvin, a 12-year major league veteran, has a career .243/.321/.402 slash line with 164 homers, 586 RBIs and 300 stolen bases.
-- Alex Tekip
