Upton feels his struggles in recent years have made him "mentally stronger" and well-prepared to hang on to the starting job in left field, which is bursting with competition breathing down his neck, Mike Nabors of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

In the past three years, Upton has changed his name, changed uniforms three times and late last year jumped back into an American League lineup for the first time since playing for the Rays in 2012. The 12-year veteran feels he's benefited from the roller-coaster ride. "Having some pretty good highs and feeling the lowest of lows kind of put things into perspective and has [helped me] stay even keel," Upton said. "It makes you continue to work and makes you mentally stronger." He'll need more mental toughness to hold on to the starting job in left field, though, where a competition includes journeyman Ezequiel Carrera, the up-and-coming Dalton Pompey and the newly-acquired Steve Pearce. Upton wasn't given a boost of confidence last week when his general manager, Ross Atkins, stated that the Jays' best lineup would include Pearce as the starting left fielder. Upton's 2017 fantasy value hinges on what type of role he'll play.

Upton and Ezequiel Carrera project to open the season as a platoon in left field, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Upton will also have Dalton Pompey, a youngster with arguably the most potential of the group, on his heels this spring. The latter will likely wind up in the minors as Pompey is still developing, but Upton by no means is permanently locked in as part of the Jays' plans for the year. Despite a resurgence that lasted a year San Diego, the 11-year veteran has largely disappointed owners in recent seasons. For the first time in a long while, Upton's playing time in 2017 will reflect his performance and not his contract.

Upton is not in Friday's lineup for Game 2 of the ALDS against the Rangers, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Upton blasted a solo home run in the Game 1 rout over Texas on Thursday, but he'll return to the bench with the right-handed Yu Darvish getting the call to oppose the Toronto lineup Friday. Ezequiel Carrera will slide over to left field in his stead, while Michael Saunders will enter the lineup and serve as the club's DH.

Upton is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Mariners, Barry Davis of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Upton's playing time against right-handed pitching has dried up considerably -- Tuesday's absence from the lineup marks his fifth in the team's last seven games against opposing right-handers. It makes sense as Upton is batting just .191/.249/.312 since the All-Star break and .227/.273/.362 on the year against righties.

Upton is out of the lineup Sunday against the Angels, Barry Davis of SportsNet reports.

EDGE Analysis

With a righty taking the mound for Los Angeles, Upton will sit out Sunday afternoon. In Upton's absence, Michael Saunders will start in left field and hit eighth.

Upton is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

He will sit for a second straight day and for the third time in the team's last four games against opposing right-handed starters. Upton was one of the bigger surprises of the first half, but he's struggled to a .208/.266/.346 line since arriving from San Diego.

Upton is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.

EDGE Analysis

Upton has just four hits since Aug. 29, so manager John Gibbons decided to give him a day to clear his head. Michael Saunders will cover left field for the Blue Jays on Sunday.

Upton went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and a stolen base in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Red Sox.

EDGE Analysis

He opened the scoring with a 410-foot shot to left center that plated Russell Martin, giving the Blue Jays an early 2-0 lead. It was Upton's first homer since Aug. 21 and comes in the midst of a rough start to September. The veteran outfielder has only four hits in his first 19 at-bats of the month following Saturday's production, and has just four round-trippers since joining the Toronto back on July 26.

Upton is not in the lineup for Tuesday's matchup with the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Despite garnering two hits in Monday's contest, Upton will get another day of rest to prepare for the stretch run. Michael Saunders will slide over to left field to replace him while Jose Bautista moves out of the DH position to round out the outfield.

Upton is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rays, Barry Davis of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Upton has settled in as the Jays' primary left fielder since the start of August, but he'll be rested Sunday for a day game after a night game. Michael Saunders takes Upton's place in left field while Jose Bautista moves over from his usual DH spot to take over in right field.