Before the Indians game against Minnesota May 14, Brantley was placed on the disabled list retroactive to May 10 with right shoulder inflammation.
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Despite that, Cleveland manager Terry Francona was holding out hope that the previously surgically repaired shoulder would be good to go.
He was clearing medical hurdles like Edwin Moses at the 1976 and 1984 Olympics. If we operated under those scenarios, we might never play a game.
After opening the year on the disabled list, Brantley began his rehab at Class AAA Columbus on April 12.
After playing the series opener in Houston on Monday, Brantley had some soreness and the Indians sat him for two games against the Astros.
It didn’t, and though an MRI performed Friday revealed no structural damage, he is scheduled to visit Dr. Craig Morgan on Tuesday – the same doctor who performed the original surgery in November.
From what has been shown this season and even once Brantley is healthy again, Cleveland needs more help on offense. And who knows how the shoulder responds if and when he is re-activated this time around?
Francona doesn’t think the team rushed Brantley back into action, and hopes the shoulder won’t plague him throughout the season.
Brantley’s absence isn’t insurmountable, but it’s pretty close.
Martinez, who plays the outfield, second base, and third base, has appeared in 27 games this season for the Columbus Clippers. 310 with 15 homers, a league-leading 45 doubles and 84 RBIs in 137 games. It would be wise for the Tribe to look to make a deal for another good bat in the outfield, rather than relying on a band-aid approach with certain players. In 39 at-bats, Brantley has posted a.231/.279/.282 slash line with just two doubles, seven RBIs, six strikeouts, and no home runs.
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Rua, a utility player, entered Saturday batting. In the 11 games he has played he had nine hits, none of them home runs. He started out slow, going 2-for-15 in his first three four games, but he looked to be finally on the rebound right up until the injury including a four-hit game against the Detroit Tigers on May 5.
