Michael Brantley Injury Update: Is Michael Brantley Still Playing?
by Abinaya
Updated May 31, 2023
Who is Michael Brantley?
Michael Charles Brantley Jr., born on May 15, 1987, is an American professional baseball player who currently serves as the left fielder for the Houston Astros in Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Cleveland Indians. Brantley, the son of former MLB player and hitting coach Mickey Brantley, is known for his left-handed batting and throwing.
After excelling at Fort Pierce Central High School in Fort Pierce, Florida, Brantley was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh round of the 2005 MLB draft. In 2008, he was traded to the Indians, along with other prospects, in a deal involving pitcher CC Sabathia. Brantley made his MLB debut with the Indians in 2009.
Brantley's breakout season came in 2014, during which he earned his first MLB All-Star nomination and Silver Slugger Award. He achieved personal bests in various offensive categories and finished third in the voting for the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award.
Michael Brantley Injury Update
Michael Brantley, aged 35, has been out of Major League Baseball (MLB) games since June 26, 2022, due to an injury. Although he participated in nine minor-league games this year as part of his rehabilitation assignment, he experienced a setback just as he was approaching a return to the active roster. According to reports, the setback is considered "minor" in nature, as described by manager Dusty Baker, as reported by The Chronicle.
Despite the injury, the Houston Astros showed confidence in Brantley's shoulder condition by re-signing him last winter to a one-year contract valued at $12 million. Throughout his previous four seasons with the Astros, he has maintained an impressive slash line of .306/.368/.464, with a 124 OPS+ and two All-Star Game selections.
In his overall career, Brantley boasts a batting average of .298, an on-base percentage of .356, and a slugging percentage of .439, resulting in a 117 OPS+.
Michael Brantley Injury Report
Michael Brantley has been out of action since June 26, 2022, due to a right shoulder injury. He underwent surgery on the shoulder in August 2022 and has been rehabbing since then. On May 12, 2023, Brantley was shut down from baseball activities due to inflammation in his right shoulder. He has not yet resumed hitting or fielding, and it is unclear when he will be able to return to the Astros.
Brantley is a key member of the Astros' lineup, and his absence has been a major blow to the team. They are currently in second place in the American League West, but they have struggled to score runs without Brantley in the lineup. The Astros are hopeful that Brantley will be able to return to the lineup soon, but they are not sure when that will happen.
They are taking a cautious approach with his rehab, and they do not want to rush him back and risk further injury. In the meantime, the Astros will have to rely on other players to step up and fill the void in the lineup. They have gotten some good contributions from players like Kyle Tucker, Yordan Alvarez, and Jose Altuve, but they will need more production from their other hitters if they want to stay in contention in the American League West.
Brantley is a veteran player who has been through a lot of injuries in his career. He is known for his toughness and his ability to bounce back from injuries. The Astros are confident that he will be able to return to the lineup soon and help them make a run at the playoffs.
Michael Brantley Injury 2023
Michael Brantley, the veteran outfielder/designated hitter for the Houston Astros, has been placed on an indefinite shutdown due to shoulder inflammation, according to manager Dusty Baker. This comes after Brantley underwent shoulder surgery last August to repair his labrum. Since June 26, 2022, Brantley has not been able to participate in any major league games.
He did play in nine minor league contests this year as part of his rehab assignment and appeared to be close to returning before experiencing this setback. Baker described the setback as minor, as reported by The Chronicle. Despite the setback, the Astros showed confidence in Brantley's shoulder by re-signing him to a one-year contract worth $12 million during the previous winter.
In his previous four seasons with Houston, Brantley posted an impressive slash line of .306/.368/.464 (124 OPS+) and earned two All-Star Game appearances. Throughout his career, Brantley holds a batting average of .298/.356/.439 (117 OPS+). Brantley's injury setback presents challenges for the Astros, who could benefit from his presence.
Currently, they rank 20th in the majors in runs scored, 25th in home runs, and 22nd in on-base percentage. Despite this, the Astros hold a 20-18 record, placing them third in the American League West, trailing the Texas Rangers by three games.
Where is Michael Brantley Playing Now?
As of May 30, 2023, Michael Brantley currently plays for the Houston Astros as a designated hitter and outfielder. In December 2022, he signed a one-year contract with the Astros worth $12 million. Unfortunately, he has not been able to play in the 2023 season due to a shoulder injury and is currently on the injured list. There is no specific timeline for his return.
Michael Brantley was born on May 15, 1987, in Seattle, Washington. He is a left-handed batter and thrower. He played college baseball at the University of North Carolina and was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh round of the 2005 MLB draft. He made his Major League Baseball debut with the Cleveland Indians in 2010.
Throughout his career, Michael Brantley has achieved notable accomplishments. He has been selected to two All-Star teams in 2014 and 2016 and received a Gold Glove Award in 2016 for his exceptional fielding skills. He has also been part of two World Series championship-winning teams, with the Houston Astros in 2017 and 2019.
Additionally, he has been honored with two Silver Slugger Awards in 2014 and 2016 for his outstanding offensive performance. Overall, Michael Brantley holds a career batting average of .297 and has hit 130 home runs with 551 runs batted in (RBIs).
Michael Brantley Injury Update - FAQ
Michael Brantley played college baseball at the University of North Carolina.
Michael Brantley made his MLB debut in 2010 with the Cleveland Indians.
Michael Brantley has been selected to two All-Star teams (2014, 2016), won a Gold Glove Award in 2016, and has been part of two World Series championship-winning teams with the Houston Astros (2017, 2019). He has also received two Silver Slugger Awards (2014, 2016).
Michael Brantley has a career batting average of .297.
Michael Brantley has hit 130 home runs and has 551 RBIs throughout his career.