MICHAEL BRANTLEY NEWS

Shut down with inflammation Astros manager Dusty baker told reporters Friday that Brantley has inflammation in his surgically repaired shoulder and the Astros are shutting him down for an indefinite period, D...

Impact Brantley was expected to return at some point this week, but the outfielder was checked out in Houston on Wednesday where it was revealed that the veteran outfielder is dealing with inflammation. There's no timetable for when he will be able to return, and it's possible the Astros will take more precautions with the 36-year-old. Brantley has yet to play in 2023 after undergoing surgery on his shoulder last August.

MAY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Michael Brantley, Chas McCormick setbacks cast doubt on Astros' 'return to play procedure' Former GM James Click promised to review Astros return to play policies last year; now Brantley and McCormick's issues raise questions anew.

MAY 11, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Having shoulder checked out Brantley (shoulder) has been sent for testing due to renewed soreness, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact The Astros don't seem to think Brantley had a setback with his surgically-repaired right shoulder. Rather, manager Dusty Baker believes Brantley is simply "more sore than usual because he played a lot" during his rehab assignment. We'll have a better idea as to Brantley's potential return date after he gets checked out, but the hope is that he can return this weekend.

MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shut down from hitting Astros managers Dusty Baker told reporters before Tuesday's game against the Angels that Brantley (shoulder) has stopped hitting, but that it's not a setback, Chandler Rome of The...

Impact Baker also told reporters that Brantley is getting "really close" to returning to action, but still isn't quite ready for a return. The 35-year-old has missed all of the 2023 campaign while recovering from shoulder surgery, and while the words from Baker are encouraging, it's still a curious development for a player that appeared to be closing in on a return this week. Brantley could still return over the weekend, but this latest development could mean there's a change in plans.

MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chandler Rome: Michael Brantley (shoulder) has rejoined the... - The Athletic Michael Brantley (shoulder) has rejoined the Astros in Anaheim, but manager Dusty Baker said he will not be activated on Tuesday. Brantley i...

MAY 9, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Not quite ready for return Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters that Brantley (shoulder) is with the team in Los Angeles after coming through his rehab fine, but he isn't quite ready to be activated off...

Impact Baker's exact words were that Brantley is "almost ready, but not quite ready." Brantley hasn't been able to play in 2023 while recovering from surgery on his right shoulder he underwent late last summer, but the fact he's been able to play in games with no reported issues is a positive development. If Brantley isn't activated for the series against the Angels, there's a very good chance he's ready to roll for the series against the White Sox in Chicago over the weekend.

MAY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chandler Rome: Michael Brantley played four innings at first... - The Athletic Michael Brantley played four innings at first base during Triple-A Sugar Land's game on Friday night, another sign that the Astros are serio...

MAY 6, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Chandler Rome: Chas McCormick (back) and Michael Brantley... - The Athletic Chas McCormick (back) and Michael Brantley (shoulder) will not re-join the Astros during this series against the Mariners, manager Dusty Bak...

MAY 6, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Chance to return against Angels Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters before Friday's game against the Mariners that Brantley (shoulder) could return to the lineup early next week against the Angels, Chandler...

Impact Brantley has been rule out from returning over the weekend for the three-game set against the Mariners. The veteran outfielder has missed all of the 2023 campaign while recovering from surgery on his right shoulder, and he should see regular playing time as the designated hitter with some stints in left field and first base as soon as he's back.

MAY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

To play some 1B on rehab Astros manager Dusty Baker said Saturday that Brantley (shoulder) will play some first base on his minor-league rehab assignment, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Baker added that Brantley will see action at first base here and there once he returns to the active roster, probably around the second week of May. The rehabbing veteran started in left field in his first three games with Triple-A Sugar Land before taking a turn at designated hitter Friday. He's on his way back from surgery last August to repair the labrum in his right shoulder.

APRIL 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

No threshold for return Dusty baker told reporters before Friday's game against the Phillies that Brantley (shoulder) doesn't have an at-bat or innings threshold to reach before rejoining the Astros, Dani...

Impact "We kind of leave that up to Mike a little bit," Baker said when asked about when Brantley will be ready. Brantley has missed all of April while recovering from his right shoulder labrum surgery he underwent in August, and he's placed in three rehab games thus far for Triple-A Sugar Land. Assuming no setbacks, it seems likely that Brantley is up with the Astros in the early part of May.

APRIL 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting rehab assignment Sunday Astros general manager Dana Brown told reporters before Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays that Brantley (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Sund...

Impact Brantley is facing live hitting, and he's progressed enough to begin squaring off against Triple-A pitchers starting this weekend. The outfielder will likely need a week-plus of action before joining Houston as he missed all of the spring while recovering from surgery to repair his right shoulder labrum. Assuming no setbacks, he should be a regular for the Astros near the start of May.

APRIL 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Taking live BP Brantley (shoulder) took live batting practice Friday, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Brantley continues to ramp up into baseball activities as he nears the end of his recovery from right shoulder labrum repair surgery last August. He could soon begin taking at-bats in simulated games and is on track to join the Astros around the first week of May.

APRIL 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Aiming for early May return Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that he's hopeful that Brantley (shoulder) will be ready to return from the 10-day injured list around the first week of May, Chandler...

Impact When spring training ended in late March, Brantley stayed behind at the Astros' camp in Florida to continue his rehab from the right shoulder labrum repair surgery he underwent last August. Brantley hasn't hit any reported snags while he continues to ramp up in Florida, but he still has yet to play in any simulated games. Once he's deemed ready for game action, Brantley will likely require multiple games at camp or at a minor-league affiliate before he's formally reinstated from the IL. The Astros have been rotating a number of players at the designated-hitter spot for the first week and a half of the season while Brantley has been on the shelf.

APRIL 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Continuing rehab in Florida Brantley (shoulder) left the Astros on Sunday to continue his rehab program at the team's spring facility in Florida, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact The veteran slugger joined the club in Houston for Opening Day and took batting practice Friday, but he'll now return to Florida to continue his rehab work. Brantley will be eligible to be activated from the injured list later this week, and the Astros hope he'll be ready for game action sometime in mid-April.

APRIL 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes batting practice Friday Brantley (shoulder) took batting practice Friday at Minute Maid Park, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Brantley was placed on the injured list ahead of Opening Day as he completes his recovery from labral repair surgery last August. It's notable -- and probably encouraging -- that he is doing pregame work with the Astros rather than rehabbing at the club's spring training complex in Florida. The 35-year-old looks likely to be activated in mid-April.

MARCH 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moved to IL The Astros placed Brantley (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Impact Brantley will be eligible to come off the IL next week, but since he didn't appear in any spring training games while working his way back from right shoulder surgery and remains in rehab mode at Astros camp in Florida, he's not expected to make his 2023 debut until mid-to-late April. His absence could open up more opportunities at designated hitter for Yainer Diaz, who made the Opening Day roster as a backup catcher but is occupying the DH spot in Thursday's season opener versus the White Sox.

MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Return date pushed back General manager Dana Brown stated Monday that Brantley (shoulder) isn't expected to make his 2023 debut until mid-to-late-April, Michael Connor of Sports Talk 790 reports.

Impact Brown noted that the club's initial expectation was for Brantley to take the field in mid-April, but he's already a week or so behind that target date. The GM mentioned that the veteran outfielder has been hitting and getting his necessary days off, and the squad has no intention of rushing him back before he's ready. An update on Brantley's timeline should arrive as he gets closer to seeing live at-bats, likely in a minor-league setting.

MARCH 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rehab ongoing Brantley (shoulder) will begin the season in West Palm Beach to continue his rehab at the Astros' team facility, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact This report confirms the expectation that Brantley will begin the season on the injured list. There's no clear timeline for his return, though he underwent surgery on his shoulder over seven months ago. Brantley figures to occupy a key role in the Houston lineup when he's able to take the field, though the lingering injury isn't a positive way to begin the new campaign.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not expected to be ready by opener Brantley (shoulder) is not expected to be ready in time for Opening Day, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Things had been pointing in this direction and Astros manager Dusty Baker essentially confirmed it Tuesday. Brantley has been slow-played this spring following last August's right shoulder surgery and he also was away from camp for a while due to a personal matter. It's unclear how much time he might miss, but fantasy managers should plan for a minimum of a couple weeks. With Brantley and Jose Altuve (thumb) out, the top two spots in the Astros' lineup have been opened up.

MARCH 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to camp Brantley (shoulder) rejoined the Astros at spring training Monday, but manager Dusty Baker said it "will be close" regarding whether the veteran outfielder is ready to go for Openi...

Impact Brantley's status for Opening Day was already in question while he continues to recover from the surgery he underwent last August to repair his right labrum, and it didn't help his cause that his rehab program was essentially put on hold when he stepped away from the team just under two weeks ago to tend to a family matter. Now that he's back at camp, Brantley is expected to steadily increase his baseball activities, but he still may have an uphill battle to get fully ramped up by the time Houston opens its season March 30 versus the White Sox. When Brantley is healthy, Baker said that the 35-year-old will likely serve as the Astros' No. 2 hitter while likely sharing time at designated hitter and in left field with Yordan Alvarez (hand).

MARCH 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not expected to be ready by opener Brantley (shoulder/personal) is not expected to be ready for Opening Day, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Brantley has been slow-played this spring as he works his way back from shoulder surgery and he's been away from the team for a week or so while dealing with a family matter. It's not clear when he might return and at this point he's simply running out of time. Brantley still has some fantasy appeal as the projected No. 2 hitter in a strong Astros lineup, but his injury history and mediocre power make him a question mark.

MARCH 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Opening Day in doubt Brantley (shoulder) may not be ready to play on Opening Day, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Brantley is recovering from surgery to repair his right labrum and has been progressing slowly. He's currently away from the team due to a personal matter, but prior to that, he had not appeared in any Grapefruit League games. On Wednesday, general manager Dana Brown said Brantley's availability for Opening Day is in doubt, but the team hopes he'll be able to return to the field no later than April 10.

MARCH 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will hit second when in lineup Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters that Brantley (shoulder, personal) will hit second when in the lineup this season, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Jeremy Pena hit second for most of last year, but it's worth pointing out that was with Brantley missing a large portion of the season because of shoulder surgery. "If Brantley is in the lineup, Brantley is No. 2 ... I know Pena's been good, but Pena ain't been good as long as Brantley," Baker said. The veteran outfielder is away from the club now to deal with a personal matter, but a chance to hit second in the quality Houston lineup certainly doesn't hurt Brantley's fantasy potential.

MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Away due to family matter Brantley (shoulder) is away from Astros camp while dealing with a family matter, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Brantley has yet to play in any Grapefruit League games as he takes things slowly following last August's shoulder surgery. This personal matter will halt his rehab, presumably briefly. The hope is that the 35-year-old will be ready in time for Opening Day.

MARCH 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE