KISSIMMEE, Fla. — B. J. Upton was having the most dreadful season of his career and his brother Justin was in the same Atlanta clubhouse, a perfect shoulder to lean on as he navigated through the unfathomable time.

But he did not seek comfort from him.

In fact, he did not reach out to anyone for help.

“It was difficult, but I’m kind of a loner,” Upton said, his gaze fixed skyward as he sat in the dugout on a recent dreary day in training camp. “I handle things my own way. That’s just kind of the way it is.”

Justin is three years B. J.’s junior, shorter and stockier, but in his face and the timbre of his voice, the resemblance is unmistakable.

The younger Upton shook his head when asked if it surprised him that B. J. did not ask for his support when he dealt with hitting .184 and being benched in his first year with the Braves, after signing a five-year, $75.25 million contract.