It's early, but this is really good news for the Rays:

CF B.J. Upton said he came through Thursday's minor-league DH experience with no problems and that his surgically repaired left shoulder felt "good." Upton said he expects to play centerfield and bat in a minor-league game on Saturday, possibly the last step before he starts playing with the Rays in big-league exhibitions, with an eye toward being ready for the April 6 regular-season opener. "If I can do that (play both ways Saturday), there's no reason I can't get out there with those guys next week," Upton said. "I'm tired of being on the back fields."

As you might know, all the "computer projections" have the Rays playing well this season, but still finishing behind the Red Sox and the Yankees. Not far behind, mind you; but behind, which is a bit of a comedown for a young (and presumably developing) team that won 97 games last year. But of course one thing an algorithm can't consider is the status of B.J. Upton's left shoulder. He was actually pretty good last season, with 97 walks and 44 steals while playing a decent center field. But he hit only nine home runs … before hitting seven more in October. One thing I couldn't figure out: If Upton's shoulder killed his power during the season, why didn't it kill his power during the postseason? And if his shoulder was better during the postseason, why did he need offseason shoulder surgery? Anyway, considering that Upton is still only 24, it seems unlikely that we've seen his best. And if his best season (yet) comes in 2009, you can probably tack another couple of wins atop the Rays' computer projections. (H/T: Baseball Musings)