Michael Brantley’s long absence from the Astros lineup could finally be nearing its end, as GM Dana Brown told Robert Ford of 790 AM radio today (hat tip to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle) that Brantley will visit the team Monday in Boston when the Astros begin a series with the Red Sox. After what would presumably be a final checkup with team doctors, Brantley would “then hopefully…maybe, potentially, in the lineup by Tuesday. We’re feeling really good about him coming back,” Brown said.
Brantley’s last big league game took place on June 26, 2022, as shoulder problems eventually required a surgery that cost Brantley the rest of the season and a chance to participate in Houston’s run to the World Series title. Initially, Brantley was expected to be ready for Opening Day, though a need for a more gradual build pushed his target date to around the start of May. Unfortunately, a pair of setbacks kept delaying matters, but things finally seem to be going fairly smoothly for Brantley during his current minor league rehab assignment. Over seven games with Triple-A Round Rock, Brantley has a fantastic 1.010 OPS in 27 plate appearances, hinting that he can still deliver at the plate when healthy.
Brown said the Astros will gradually ease Brantley back into action, as a part-time role with several off-days built into his workload should hopefully keep the bothersome shoulder in good condition. Brantley has been regularly playing left field at Triple-A, so while the Astros are likely to give him a good chunk of DH at-bats, it doesn’t look like he’ll be limited to just a bat-only role.
Houston is fighting both the Rangers and Mariners in a three-pronged AL West battle, and the upcoming series in Boston carries added importance since the Red Sox are in the wild card hunt. Between this crowded postseason picture, the Astros could still finish anywhere from a first-round bye as the AL West champ to missing the playoffs altogether. It might be a lot to expect Brantley to resume his previous All-Star form after such a long layoff, but if he can post anything close to his old numbers, that’s still a big help to an already potent lineup.
Though it’ll still be at least a day before Brantley’s potential return, the Astros made an addition to the roster today, as Phil Maton was activated from the 15-day injured list. Right-hander Ronel Blanco was optioned to Triple-A in the corresponding move, and as the Athletic’s Chandler Rome noted (via X), Blanco has now hit the maximum number of five minor league options in a single season. If Blanco is recalled and the Astros wanted to eventually send him back to the minors, they would first need to expose the righty to waivers.
Maton hasn’t pitched since August 11, when Eduardo Escobar drilled a line drive up the middle into Maton’s throwing elbow. Fortunately, there wasn’t any damage besides a bruise and some soreness, so Maton was able to return after the minimum 15 days. The veteran reliever is enjoying a nice season, with a 3.04 ERA over 53 1/3 innings and some of the best soft-contact numbers and spin rates of any pitcher in baseball.
Brantley has clearly been physically done for a couple of years even before missing most of this season.
I guess some symbolic token AB’s aren’t gonna hurt but man, I can’t I shine he’s not in quasi retired mindset and that the Astros aren’t just being respectful and dutiful in bringing him back and not DFA’ing him.
Will they give him a few million to do a token farewell tour in 2024? Basically a $6 million team mascot and wasted roster space?
Resigning Brantley and signing Abreu were major missteps for the Stros. A much better move would’ve been keeping Guli for another year and signing someone like Bellinger for a one or two yr deal.
Brantley is a much better hitter than Jake Meyers, so technically it would upgrade the lineup. Crusty loves to play Jake in CF and Chas in LF and DH Yordan. Or seems to think Dubon can play CF and Chas in LF. Chas everyday CF and Brantley/Yordan rotating DH/LF is going to upgrade this lineup big time. But you might not have known that.
I’m guessing that “Crusty” has forgotten more about MLB than you’ll ever know.
You gotta love these internet guys who know how to run a ball club better than a 70 year old hall of fame manager
Especially the internet guys with the tendency to use the very tired and unfunny “Los Karens” joke in Dodger articles
Brantley will have another setback.
Even with Brantley’s return, the “The Astros have an outfield surplus” article 2 weeks ago is still egregiously wrong.
I remember Milwaukee trading him for CC Sabathia and as great as he was for Milwaukee for 2 months you gotta wonder if Milwaukee ever regrets that trade
Eh, hindsight is 20/20. It’s not like Brantley ever was considered one of the best prospects in the minor leagues when he was young. Sabathia went on to become arguably the best deadline rental ever. He led the Brewers in bWAR that season, despite joining them in early July. Even though they didn’t win it all, the return they got couldn’t have been better.
@mlb1225 I think Randy Johnson would like to have an opinion on that. Nearly identical rental stats for both. Pure insanity the numbers they both put up in that short time on their respective teams.
funny you ask. this weekend we’re celebrating Cc this weekend. most crew fans would say no bc we finally got into the playoffs in 2008
Brantley was actually the PTBNL in that trade. Matt LaPorta was the headliner going to CLE, and that guy was a bust if there ever was one. Worked out for both teams ultimately.
I think could be good to have Brantley in lineup. Might limit Diaz and Dubon some. Dubon is not good in outfield. Granted has not had many big plays that Jake would have handled better. At least those had to dive for. Dubon played an inning at third glad nothing hit toward him. Not a corner infielder. Best spots SS and 2nd.
I have seen talk of looking at Bellinger in off season. Of outfield as well will they look at Dirden next season or will he be a September call up. Could they call up a pitcher to look at some. Maybe Arrighetti or such like. But will be curious on outfield for next season or longer. Also will Houston keep McCullers if out again and for how long next season as do not think will be ready.
But do wish Brantley well and hope can help us. And what will talk be if we fall off. Even Rangers after their hot start and thinking had in the bag and have fallen. Seattle has been hot.
Dubon is usually in CF when he plays OF. Meyers and McCormick are good defensively. Not sure why Dubon gets nod over them in the field from Dusty. Late in game today, it looked like Dubon botched a liner to third
Verlander insists on having a Dubon as his centerfielder. That’s the only reason Dubon keeps getting penciled in there.
There were plenty of opportunities to bring up Dirden this season but FO opted not too. His left handed bat would’ve been useful
@texgal01 Are you using some sort of speech recognition software that is typing your answers for you ??
Brantley in left, McCormick in center, Meyers late inning defense, and Julks sent back to the minor leagues.
Maldonado should be a back up catcher. If Dusty is too hardheaded for that, then bench Abreu at first. Diaz needs to be in the lineup.
It’s getting too late in the game to put up with Maldonado and lack of offense and frankly, lack of defense. Muldy is not what he used be – can’t hit, can’t defend either.
It will be interesting to see who gets sent down. Is the second Singleton era already over?
In this case I believe it’ll be Julks, just because he’s a leftfielder and so is Brantley.
Singleton isn’t going to rise to stardom, but he could still be useful.