Michael Brantley
LF FA
Wed 7/20/22 11:21 AM

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Sunday that Brantley is in the "same spot" with his recovery from right shoulder discomfort since initially landing on the injured list June 28, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "We just hope for the better. That was the shoulder he got operated on years ago. He's still a little sore," Baker said of Brantley.
EDGE Analysis
Baker indicated that Brantley appeared to take a step forward after he was cleared to hit last Thursday, but the 35-year-old had to be shut back down while he continued to experience discomfort. With that in mind, Brantley doesn't look like he'll be ready to come off the IL following the All-Star break, and a clearer timeline for his return likely won't be available until he resumes baseball activities.

Michael Brantley
LF FA
Thu 7/14/22 6:58 PM

Brantley (shoulder) has flown back to Houston to be evaluated further by team doctors, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.
EDGE Analysis
Brantley landed on the injured list with a shoulder issue in late June and has made slow progress in his recovery over the last few weeks. The 35-year-old took swings afterward but didn't feel good afterward and will have his rehab process slowed as a result. While manager Dusty Baker said that Brantley hasn't encountered a setback, it's not yet clear when the outfielder will be able to return to game action.

Michael Brantley
LF FA
Tue 7/12/22 7:26 PM

Astros manager Dusty Baker said over the weekend that Brantley (shoulder) is without a timeline for a return, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.
EDGE Analysis
Brantley became eligible to come off the 10-day injured list last Friday, but the 35-year-old apparently wasn't close to being activated. Baker has been notoriously evasive when asked about players' injuries this season, but he at least revealed that Brantley's aching right shoulder has been "slow to respond" since he landed on the IL on June 28. Brantley had been spotted running in the outfield Friday, but he has yet to resume any hitting activity, which will be the true barometer for the health of his shoulder. Fantasy managers shouldn't count on Brantley returning before the All-Star break, and more clarity on where he stands in his recovery may not come until the Astros reconvene after the Midsummer Classic.

Michael Brantley
LF FA
Sat 7/2/22 3:09 PM

Manager Dusty Baker said Saturday that Brantley (shoulder) hasn't yet resumed hitting, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.
EDGE Analysis
Brantley landed on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder discomfort Tuesday, and Baker said that the injury has "responded kind of slow" so far. Baker acknowledged that Brantley might not be able to return when first eligible July 7, and the team figures to take a cautious approach to prevent a more significant injury.

Michael Brantley
LF FA
Tue 6/28/22 2:30 PM

The Astros placed Brantley (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
After exiting Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Yankees with right shoulder discomfort, Brantley apparently didn't show enough improvement following Monday's team off day to avoid a trip to the IL. Houston will call up Chas McCormick to provide reinforcement in the outfield, and the Astros could use a committee of him, Mauricio Dubon, Aledmys Diaz and J.J. Matijevic to fill Brantley's vacated spot in the starting nine. Brantley will be eligible to come off the IL on July 7.

Michael Brantley
LF FA
Sun 6/26/22 4:15 PM

Brantley was removed in the top of the eighth inning of Sunday's game against the Yankees with right shoulder discomfort, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports. He went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts prior to departing.
EDGE Analysis
Brantley was serving as the Astros' designated hitter for the series finale in New York, so his shoulder discomfort must have surfaced at some point during one of his plate appearances earlier in the game. J.J. Matijevic entered the game as a replacement for Brantley, who can be viewed as day-to-day heading into Tuesday's series opener with the Mets.

Michael Brantley
LF FA
Thu 6/23/22 8:38 AM

Brantley went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored Wednesday against the Mets.
EDGE Analysis
Brantley did all of his damage in the first inning as part of a four-run rally by the Astros. He has at least one hit in 15 of his 16 starts in June, also racking up 10 RBI and 11 runs scored while hitting .381. Brantley continues to be a steady producer, as he now has a very familiar .298/.378/.434 line across 260 plate appearances on the season.

Michael Brantley
LF FA
Sat 6/18/22 8:45 AM

Brantley went 2-for-5 with a grand slam and an additional run scored in Friday's victory over the White Sox.
EDGE Analysis
Alex Bregman knocked in Brantley on a home run in the first inning, then Brantley launched one of his own in the sixth. His grand slam sent Yuli Gurriel, Aledmys Diaz and Chas McCormick home and extended Houston's lead to 10-3. The veteran outfielder is on a 12-game hit streak, including seven multi-hit games, all of which have come in June. Brantley has a 1.108 OPS in June and is slashing .302/.384/.439 on the season.

Michael Brantley
LF FA
Mon 6/13/22 12:20 PM

Brantley went 1-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored Sunday against the Marlins.
EDGE Analysis
Brantley took advantage of Houston hitters getting on base in front of him, as he drove in both of his runs on groundouts. The performance also extended his hitting streak to eight games, during which Brantley has driven in four and scored five runs. He's maintained a strong .291/.378/.418 line across 226 plate appearances this season.

Michael Brantley
LF FA
Sat 6/11/22 10:02 AM

Brantley went 2-for-3 with two walks, a solo home run and a second run scored in Friday's 7-4 loss to the Marlins.
EDGE Analysis
He got the Astros on the board by taking Pablo Lopez deep in the bottom of the first inning, but the Marlins were already ahead 2-0 and never relinquished their lead. Brantley is posting his usual numbers in his age-35 season, slashing .293/.380/.426 through 50 games with four homers, one steal, 18 RBI and 19 runs. The home run was Brantley's first since May 17.