Melvin Upton Jr. injury: Braves outfielder out 6-8 weeks with foot injury (Updated)

Atlanta Braves outfielder Melvin Upton Jr sat out Friday's team workout due to a foot injury. Upton will have X-Rays on the foot later on Friday. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez told reporters that the injury was more in the toe area of the foot but they would know more after Upton's X-Rays.

"I saw him limping around yesterday," said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, who first talked to Upton about the injury after watching him favor it following batting practice Thursday in the team's first full-squad workout. "He came up to me after he hit and we sent him inside. He got treatment (Thursday), got treatment again this morning, and went to see the doctor today to get X-rays."

Speaking of injuries, shortstop Andrelton Simmons has been hampered by a strained oblique but his injury doesn't appear to be too serious. Still the Braves and Simmons are playing it safe and Simmons was limited in his workouts again on Friday.

"We didn't want him to throw across the (infield Friday)," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He was cleared to do that, but it was cold and our coaches, Terry (Pendleton) and Carlos (Tosca), took the initiative and said it's cold, it's windy. He did play catch, he warmed up, but we didn't want him to throw across the diamond yet.

Sounds like Simmons could be back at full strength soon but the situation with Upton might not be as promising. If Upton were to miss any significant time it could open the door for a guy like Eury Perez for an expanded role.

UPDATE

Upton had an MRI on his injured foot on Friday and the injury could be something more than minor.

The #Braves are awaiting MRI results on Upton's foot. As mentioned earlier, it seems like this might be more than a minor ailment.

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) February 27, 2015

UPDATE

The initial fears have been confirmed. Upton has been diagnosed with Sesamoiditis which is inflammation in the bone behind the ball of the foot. He will spend the next two weeks in a cast and will then be in a walking boot for the next 4-6 weeks. He's likely to begin the season on the disabled list for Atlanta.

#Braves Melvin Upton likely to miss all of spring training, in cast for 2 wks then walking boot another 4-6 wks.

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienAJC) February 27, 2015

Injury to Melvin Upton - sesamoiditis (inflammation in the bone behind the ball of the foot) means he's likely begin season on DL. #Braves

— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) February 27, 2015