Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) said that he remains hopeful that he'll be ready for the March 30 regular season opener. However, any kind of setback could push his timetable back and open up a roster spot on the bench. Brantley had arthroscopic labral surgery on his right shoulder and hasn't played since last June. If he's not ready, the Astros can use Yordan Alvarez, Jake Meyers or Chas McCormick in left field. Brantley was Houston's primary left fielder last year before his injury, and he hit a strong .288 with 14 doubles, five home runs, 26 RBI and a .786 OPS in 64 games. The 35-year-old remains an excellent hitter, but he's only really useful for average and is an injury risk nearing the end of his career.

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said that he isn't sure if outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) is hitting yet or if he'll be ready for Opening Day. Baker said he plans on treating Brantley like NBA star Kawhi Leonard, welcoming him back when he is ready so he can "carry" the team. Brantley missed the final three months of the 2022 season after having surgery to fix the labrum in his right shoulder in August. The 35-year-old veteran is back on a one-year deal, but there's a good chance he won't be ready for the start of the season. When healthy, he should be a lineup regular between left field and designated hitter duties. Brantley doesn't have much pop -- only two 20-homer campaigns in 14 MLB seasons -- but he's a solid asset for average and on-base percentage.

The Houston Astros re-signed outfielder Michael Brantley to a one-year deal worth $12 million on Sunday. The contract includes $4 million in performance bonuses. Brantley only played in 64 games in 2022, missing the final three-plus months of the season due to a right shoulder injury that required labrum surgery in August. The 35-year-old is still working his way back from the surgery and isn't a lock to be ready for spring training or Opening Day, so fantasy managers need to bake that risk into his 2023 value. When healthy, Brantley is one of the best contact hitters in the game, but he doesn't pack a lot of power (only two 20-plus-homer seasons). The five-time All-Star hit .300 in four straight seasons before 2022. He had a .288/.370/.416 with five homers, 26 RBI and 28 runs scored in his 64 games played for Houston before his injury.

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) is set to undergo surgery which will sideline him for the rest of the season. The 35-year-old outfielder has been sidelined since late June due to a right shoulder issue. He recently received a second opinion on his injury. Now, the veteran outfielder is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair a labrum tear in his right shoulder. He is officially done for the season in what is a walk year for the left-handed slugger. The Astros will use a mix of Mauricio Dubon, Aledmys Diaz, and Trey Mancini with Brantley sidelined.

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) has been away from the organization for some time. Now, it has been revealed that Brantley is seeking a second opinion on his left shoulder, according to bench coach Joe Espada. The 35-year-old has been sidelined since late June due to a lingering right shoulder issue. It sounds like Brantley is making slow progress, which is not great for fantasy managers. Hopefully, the team will get an update on Brantley after this second opinion. Until then, Mauricio Dubon and Trey Mancini will try and help cover the loss of Brantley.

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) hasn't resumed swinging a bat and said he has "no timetable" for a return from the injured list. "I don't want to put a timetable on that because then I don't know if it's pushing too hard or not pushing hard enough. It's literally day by day," Brantley said. The 35-year-old veteran outfielder landed on the injured list on June 28 and doesn't appear to be anywhere close to returning to the major league roster. At this point, a return before September might be optimistic. The addition of veteran slugger Trey Mancini at the trade deadline should help soften the blow with Brantley out. In 243 at-bats before his injury, Brantley was hitting a solid .288/.370/.416 with five homers, 26 RBI, 28 runs scored and a stolen base.

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) has yet to begin swinging a bat, according to Astros manager Dusty Baker. Brantley has been sidelined since late June due to right shoulder discomfort. His timeline is undefined right now as he still has several hurdles to clear before returning to the majors. The 35-year-old has turned in another solid season for the Astros thus far. Over 64 games, he's slashed .288/.370/.416 with five home runs, 26 RBI and 28 runs.

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) could start swinging a bat in the next week, according to manager Dusty Baker. Brantley has been on the injured list since June 28 after feeling discomfort in his shoulder. The veteran outfielder is hitting .288 with five homers, 28 runs, 26 RBI, and a steal across 243 at-bats in 2022. Brantley will likely head off on a rehab assignment to shake the rust off before he is ready to appear in a game in the majors.

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said on Sunday that outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) hasn't made much progress. "Right now he's in the same spot, no worse. We just hope for the better. That was the shoulder he got operated on years ago. He's still a little sore," Baker said. Brantley hit one day but then had to be shut down. The 35-year-old veteran was placed on the injured list on June 28 with right shoulder discomfort, and it's concerning that he hasn't made much, if any, progress since then. He won't be ready to be activated for the start of the second half of the season on Thursday for a doubleheader against the New York Yankees, and there's no timetable for his return at this point. Until Brantley returns, some combination of Chas McCormick, Aledmys Diaz and Jose Siri should take turns getting starts in left field.

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) has flown back to Houston to be evaluated further by the team doctors. According to Astros manager Dusty Baker, the veteran outfielder didn't feel right after taking swings on Tuesday. He was placed on the injured list with a shoulder issue in late June and has no timetable for a return. The 35-year-old slashed .288/.370/.416 with five home runs, 26 RBI, 28 runs, and a stolen base before landing on the IL. Fantasy managers most likely won't see Brantley until after the All-Star break. Jose Siri will continue to handle left-field duties while Brantley is sidelined.

The Houston Astros placed outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) on the injured list on Tuesday and recalled outfielder Chas McCormick and right-hander Enoli Paredes from the minors in corresponding moves. The Astros also optioned right-hander Brandon Bielak on Monday. Brantley left Sunday's game early against the New York Yankees with right shoulder discomfort, and he'll now miss at least the next 10 days. The 35-year-old is hitting a solid .288/.370/.416 with five home runs, 26 RBI, 28 runs scored and one stolen base in 277 plate appearances over 64 games, and he should be stashed in most fantasy leagues while he's sidelined. McCormick, Mauricio Dubon and J.J. Matijevic could rotate playing time in Houston's outfield until Brantley returns.

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) was forced to exit early during Sunday's game against the New York Yankees. The veteran outfielder was pulled due to right shoulder discomfort. The organization hasn't given an update on Brantley, so hopefully he won't be forced to miss significant time. The 35-year-old was hitless in three at-bats before exiting the game on Sunday. Fantasy managers will have to check back for another update on Brantley.

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley ended the month of May with an 0-for-4 performance in Tuesday's 3-1 win against the Oakland Athletics. He's batting just .267 on the season with three home runs and 16 RBI in 44 games. Despite the poor start to the 2022 campaign, Brantley's advanced metrics indicate that he has gotten unlucky. Fantasy managers should remain patient with Brantley.

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley and first baseman Yuli Gurriel are both out of the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers. Chas McCormick will be covering left field with Aledmys Diaz at first base. Both Brantley and Gurriel have been heating up lately. Brantley is currently riding an eight-game hitting streak that's included four doubles and a home run. Gurriel, meanwhile, has recorded four multi-hit games over his last six outings, homering three times along that stretch.

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley won't be in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. He was forced to miss Friday's game as well due to the league's health and safety protocols. The organization hasn't given much of an update on Brantley, so fantasy managers are in the dark. Nonetheless, Brantley has been off to a hot start this season. He's hitting .290/.347/.420 with two homers in 76 plate appearances thus far. Yordan Alvarez will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup versus righty Jose Berrios on Saturday.

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley (rest) is not listed in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. It appears the Astros are giving both Brantley and Jose Altuve the day off for rest purposes. Jose Siri will bat leadoff and cover center, while Chas McCormick bats eighth and plays left field against lefty Jose Suarez. Neither player should be considered a trustworthy fantasy option, but Siri has more upside due to the fact he is batting first.

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley will start and hit second in Game 1 of the World Series against the Braves. The veteran is hitting .311 through 45 postseason at-bats but his power has been sapped by an August knee injury ever since. Brantley, however, has been dangerous with runners in scoring position, going 5-for-10 in those situations with eight runs batted in during this playoff run. Brantley may not be sending the ball over the fence at present but will provide a tough, professional at-bat every time up at the dish.

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley will hit second in the team's crucial Game 5 matchup against the Red Sox in the ALCS. Brantley is 3-for-8 with three runs batted in since the series moved to Boston but will have a difficult matchup against left-handed starter Chris Sale. The veteran is hitting .306 during the postseason but is posting only a .219 mark against left-handed pitching during the regular season. Brantley is as professional a hitter as there is in the game but may not be the best DFS option for this Game 5 matchup.

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley went 3-for-6 with two runs batted in as the Astros advanced to the ALCS thanks to their 10-1 victory over the White Sox. The veteran's power may be compromised a touch after dealing with a knee injury the past month but Brantley collected hits in each game of the ALDS. Brantley is as professional hitter as they come and slashed .368/.368/.421 in the series with four runs batted in. He should continue to post high batting average totals in DFS tournaments in the next round against the Red Sox.

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley will try and deliver when the team opens up their ALDS series against the White Sox. It was another highly productive season for Brantley despite limping to the finish line with injuries. Brantley hit .326 through his 69 games this season but injuries sapped his power in the second half of the season. The veteran slugged only .380 over his final 52 games with only 10 extra-base hits spanning 187 at-bats. Brantley is a pro at the plate and was fantastic in the postseason last year, posting a .981 OPS through 52 playoff at-bats in 2020.