Upton (head) is serving as the designated hitter and batting sixth in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Upton was hit in the head by a pitch during Friday's win over the Angels but is feeling better Saturday and will be in the lineup for the first half of the twin bill. He went 0-for-2 with a strikeout prior to exiting Friday's matchup.

Manager Scott Servais said after Friday's win over the Angels that Upton is "feeling OK" after being hit in the head by a pitch during the game, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Upton made his Mariners debut Friday but was removed from the game in the bottom of the fifth inning after being hit by a pitch. In spite of the outfielder's early departure, Servais is hopeful that the 34-year-old will be available to serve as the designated hitter Saturday against the Angels.

Upton was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma by the Mariners on Friday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Upton was cut by the Angels shortly before Opening Day and joined the Mariners on a major-league deal May 21, and he's spent the past few weeks getting up to speed with Tacoma. The 35-year-old had a .200/.288/.378 slash line in 12 games at Triple-A, though he's hit better of late, going 5-for-12 with a double, two RBI and four runs over his last four contests. Upton should split playing time in right field with Taylor Trammell, who has an .812 OPS in 21 games this year.

Mariners manager Scott Servais said Sunday that Upton will report to the team's extended spring training complex in Arizona to work out for about a week before advancing to Triple-A Tacoma for game action, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Upton inked a major-league deal with Seattle on Saturday, he'll need some time to pick up reps at the plate after he had been on the open market since early April when the Angels elected to release him. Once the Mariners are confident that he's regained his timing at the plate and is in good physical condition, Upton could challenge for an everyday role at one of the corner-outfield spots. Aside from hotshot rookie Julio Rodriguez, the Mariners have gotten little offensive production this season from their other outfield and designated-hitter options.

Upton signed a major-league contract with the Mariners on Saturday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

After being released by the Angels on April 8, Upton remained unsigned to this point in the season. The Mariners are now signing him to their major-league roster, while they'll only be responsible for paying him about $550,000. Upton still possesses the ability to hit for power, launching 17 homers in 90 games last season, but his .211 average was a liability and the Angels elected to move on this spring. He'll likely alternate between the outfield and designated hitter with Seattle.

Upton was released by the Angels on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Upton was designated for assignment Saturday since the Angels are choosing to rely more on their young outfielders in 2022. The Angels will now be responsible for his $28 million salary this season, and the 34-year-old will be free to sign with another team. Upton appeared in 90 games last year and slashed .211/.296/.409 with 17 homers, 47 runs, 41 RBI and four steals. However, it wouldn't be surprising to see him carve out playing time as a veteran presence in a team's outfield this year.

Upton was designated for assignment Saturday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Upton hasn't recorded a wRC+ above 92 since 2018, which simply isn't good enough for a corner outfielder. The Angels will eat $28 million by letting him go, which looks like a clear sign of faith in young outfielders Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh, who have plenty of potential but haven't put it all together yet. Despite his recent struggles, Upton could still generate interest on the open market after he clears waivers. He may fit on the short side of a platoon somewhere, as he struggled to a 76 wRC+ against righties last year but managed a 130 wRC+ against lefties.

Upton could see time at first base this season, reports MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger.

EDGE Analysis

Upton is in his final year with the Angels and appears ready to fill in wherever needed, including at a position he's never played at before. If Upton does see time at first base it could come in a platoon role against left-handed pitching, splitting time with Jared Walsh.

Upton (back) was transferred to 60-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Upton has already been ruled out for the remainder of the season, so this move comes as little surprise. He'll end his campaign with a .211/.296/.409 line, though he did manage to launch 17 homers across 361 plate appearances.

Upton (back) has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2021 season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Upton was placed on the 10-day injured list at the beginning of September due to a right lumbar strain, and he hasn't progressed quickly enough to play again this year. With the Angels firmly out of the playoff race, the team likely saw no need to push the veteran outfielder to play again in 2021. Upton finishes the season with a .211/.296/.409 slash line, 17 home runs, 41 RBI, four stolen bases and 47 runs scored in 90 games.