Tampabay.com
APRIL 04, 2009

Batting order set - Upton will be at top

Manager Joe Maddon made official what has been talked about for weeks, that B.J. Upton will take over the leadoff spot when he returns from the DL on or about April 13.

Maddon met Saturday with Akinori Iwamura and explained the move, primarily due to the addition of Pat Burrell, allowing Upton to be moved to the top. Under the new arrangement, Iwamura will primarily bat eighth against righthanders and ninth against lefthanders, swapping with Jason Bartlett.

Until Upton returns, Iwamura will bat leadoff against righties and Bartlett against lefties, with the other hitting ninth.

In related lineup news, Maddon said he plans to start Matt Joyce in center and Gabe Gross in rightfield against righthanders, and will start Ben Zobrist and Gabe Kapler in the outfield against lefthanders, though hasn't decided who will be in center and who will be in right.

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