Indians All-Star OF Brantley out with sore shoulder
Cleveland Indians All-Star outfielder Michael Brantley is out of Friday's lineup and will likely miss multiple days while he deals with a sore left shoulder.
Brantley stayed behind in Cleveland as the Indians departed for an 11-game road trip beginning in Minnesota on Friday and had an MRI on his throwing shoulder, which manager Terry Francona characterized as "good."
Brantley had an injection, according to Francona, who said the outfielder will miss a "couple, three days" but isn't expected to be placed on the disabled list. Brantley has hit .312 this season with eight home runs, 63 RBIs and 12 stolen bases while playing in 103 games.
Brantley had played through the injury but the team decided to have him evaluated after the shoulder bothered Brantley in Thursday's loss to New York in which Brantley went 0 for 4 with a walk.
"It's hard to not have him for a couple, three days but it's a heck of a lot better than not having him for a couple, three months," Francona said.
An All-Star for the first time this season after finishing third in the AL MVP voting last year, Brantley has missed 10 games this season. He has hit .380 with three homers in 24 games since the All-Star break.
"He's been playing through a lot," Francona said. "Hopefully when something like this happens maybe a couple days down helps the rest of his body. He's found a way to be still so productive and so good."
