Upton has been fielding ground balls at first base in anticipation of a possible in-game move during the team's contests in NL parks, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fellow outfielder Adam Eaton has also been working out at first base, and it appears that either of the veterans could be asked to cover the position if the need arises during this weekend's series against the Dodgers. The Angels are currently shorthanded at first with Jared Walsh still on the injured list due to a right intercostal strain. It's worth noting that Upton is starting in left field and leading off during Saturday's contest.

Upton isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Upton went 2-for-7 with two runs, two walks and a strikeout across the last two games, but he'll be on the bench for the third time in the last six contests. Jo Adell will shift to left field while Adam Eaton starts in right.

Upton is not in the lineup Monday against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Upton will head to the bench for the second time in the past three games while mired in a 4-for-32 slump over his past eight contests. Juan Lagares will start in left field for the Halos.

Upton will sit Saturday against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Upton hits the bench after starting nine straight games. He struggled to a .139/.184/.278 line over that stretch. Phil Gosselin will start in left field in his absence.

Upton went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer and a walk in Wednesday's 8-7 win over the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Upton took Jesus Tinoco deep in the fourth as part of a five-run inning for the Angels. It was his first long ball and just his third hit in 28 at-bats since returning from the injured list July 22. The 33-year-old was hitting admirably well before a back injury sidelined him for a month so it may take some for him to return to a productive level at the plate. Upton is slashing .231/.318/.454 with 15 homers, 34 RBI, 42 runs scored, three steals and 32:83 BB:K over 286 plate appearances.

Upton went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Thursday's win over Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran outfielder played in his first game since June 22 and was unable to reach base. He had been leading off prior to going on the injured list with a lower back strain but slotted into the No. 3 spot in the order Thursday. Given David Fletcher's recent scorching-hot stretch, it appears likely that Upton's days as a leadoff hitter are over, at least in the short term.

Upton (back) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Upton had been on the injured list with a lower back strain since late June, but he recently appeared in two rehab games at Triple-A Salt Lake and went 1-for-7 with a solo home run, a walk and four strikeouts. The 33-year-old should be available going forward, and he's starting in left field and batting third during Thursday's series opener in Minnesota. Outfielder Taylor Ward was sent down in a corresponding move.

Upton (back) has gone 1-for-7 with a solo home run, a walk and four strikeouts in a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran homered in his first at-bat with the Triple-A club Monday but has gone 0-for-6 with four strikeouts since. Most importantly, he has not suffered any setbacks with the lower back strain that has kept him out of big-league action since June 22. Upton appears to be closing in on a return to the Angels.

Upton (back) is starting a rehab assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Upton hasn't sniffed the field since June 22 after suffering a back injury, and he'll need at least a brief rehab stint before the team activates him from the 10-day IL. It's unclear at this point how much action he'll need in the minors before returning to the big-league club.

Upton (back) could start a rehab assignment sometime this week, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

When Upton's back initially tightened up, he was not expected to need a stint on the IL. However, it has taken some time for the veteran outfielder to recover, and he has now been out of action for nearly a month. As such, Upton will require a rehab assignment, though it's not clear exactly when that will start or how long it will last. Assuming all goes well for Upton from this point forward, it seems reasonable to hope for a return to the Angels within a week.