Justin Upton started the 2008 season swinging a hot stick in April and May. But, in June Upton had a month that he would love to forget. In June, Upton played in 23 games for the D-Backs and he was 8 for 65 (.123 avg, .520 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. He also whiffed 25 times in June which is pretty amazing when you think about it. Upton has now played in 78 games this season for the D-Backs and he is 61 for 258 (.236 avg, .768 OPS) with 40 runs scored, 9 homers and 29 RBIs. Upton has whiffed 91 times already this season which is downright pathetic. If he doesn’t turn things around soon the D-Backs will have to look to replace him in the starting lineup. The bad thing about it for the D-Backs is that they would likely have to trade for a hitter if they want to replace Upton because they don’t really have anyone ready in the minors plus they are already without Eric Byrnes.

The Diamondbacks have placed starting catcher Chris Snyder on the 15-day disabled list with a left testicular fracture. He was injured on a fould tip last night. Don’t expect to see him catching any time soon as I can’t imagine how much that would hurt. Snyder has played in 64 games for the Diamondbacks this season and he was 47 for 191 (.246 avg, .779 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 7 homers and 33 RBIs. Miguel Montero will take over as the starting catcher on the Diamondbacks until Snyder is ready to return to action. Montero has played in 34 games this season for the D-Backs and he is 20 for 81 (.247 avg, .666 OPS) with 8 runs scored and 5 RBIs. Robby Hammock has been recalled to be the backup catcher behind Montero until Snyder is fully recovered. Hammock has played in 10 games for the D-Backs this season and he is 4 for 22 (.182 avg, .507 OPS) with 1 run scored and 1 RBI. This will hurt the D-Backs on defense as Snyder has really looked good catching the pitching staff.

The D-Backs have placed outfielder Eric Byrnes on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. It appears that this injury will haunt Byrnes the rest of the season. He has played in 52 games this season for the Diamondbacks and he is 43 for 206 (.209 avg, .641 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 6 homers, 23 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. The D-Backs have recalled 26-year old righty reliever Connor Robertson to replace Byrnes on the roster. Robertson has pitched in 32 AAA games this season and he was 5-2 with 1 save, a 3.86 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. The Diamondbacks will really miss Byrnes whose all out hustle seems to get the team motivated.

The Diamondbacks have placed righty starter/reliever Edgar Gonzalez on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right elbow. Gonzalez has pitched in 17 games (6 starts) for the Diamondbacks and he is 1-3 with a 6.00 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. The D-Backs have recalled righty Yusmeiro Petit to replace Gonzalez on the roster. Petit has pitched in 6 games (0 starts) for the D-Backs this season and he is 0-1 with a 4.70 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.

The Reds are about to have a big firesale and the D-Backs should swoop right in and benefit. With Eric Byrnes’ replacements playing poorly the D-Backs should look to add someone that can add some zip to the lineup and that would be Ryan Freel. Freel is a 32-year old righty swinging outfielder that can handle any outfield slot defensively. He also can fill in at 3B or 2B in a pinch. Freel’s game is effort and speed much like Byrnes’ when he’s healthy except that he doesn’t have any power. Freel has played in 48 games this season for the Reds and he is 39 for 131 (.298 avg, .699 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 10 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. The D-Backs could also use a 2nd lefty in the bullpen and the Reds are sure to make Jeremy Affeldt available. The 29-year old Affeldt has pitched in 37 games (0 starts) for the Reds this year and he is 1-0 with a 4.46 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. The Reds would likely want a package of young players like outfielder Alex Romero, Yusmeiro Petit and infielder Pedro Ciriaco. If that’s want the Reds would want the D-Backs should make that trade and play for right now. Freel would be able to start for now and then be an assassin off the bench when Byrnes returns. Affeldt would likely be the main lefty in the pen over Doug Slaten. If the D-Backs thought highly of Romero they would be starting him right now in the outfield instead of Chris Burke. The D-Backs have better pitchers coming up than Petit who barely throws hard enough to dent a sofa. And while Ciriaco is a decent prospect the D-Backs like others in the organization more.