MLB PLAYER NEWS

B.J. Upton now Melvin Upton Jr.

The Sports Xchange

February 22, 2015 at 3:14 pm.

 

B.J. Upton has a new name. (Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports)

Atlanta Braves outfielder B.J. Upton will now be known as Melvin Upton Jr., the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported Sunday.

Melvin Emanuel Upton Jr. is the birth name of the 30-year-old Upton.

The change was noted when Braves executive John Hart made a passing reference to Melvin Upton, then confirmed that B.J. Upton would go by Melvin Upton Jr. this season.

Upton would like to change his luck at the plate too. He hit .182 with nine homers in 2013, and hit .208 with 12 homers in 2014. He signed a five-year, $75.25 million free agent contract with Atlanta in November 2012.