Following offseason shoulder surgery, Michael Brantley starting the season on the disabled list was a primary concern for the Indians, but one that could be handled if he returned as his usual, Silver Slugger-level self in left field.
That doesn’t appear to be the case. Brantley’s surgically-repaired shoulder hasn’t responded like he and the club had hoped after playing in 11 games this season with off days sprinkled within them. And now, the thing the Indians could least afford in this situation looks to be coming to fruition, as Brantley on Saturday was placed back on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.
Getting by without Brantley, a key piece in the middle of the Indians’ lineup, for the first month of the season had already given a hint of doubt to the Indians’ 2016 chances within a competitive American League Central division. He’ll now be sidelined into late May. June is approaching, and the biggest question mark surrounding the Indians has only gotten bigger.
Brantley received an MRI during Friday night’s game, which didn’t reveal anything new, according to Indians manager Terry Francona. But Brantley has felt soreness and fatigue in that shoulder, forcing him to sit the final two games in Houston. He’ll meet with Dr. Craig Morgan, who originally performed the surgery, on Tuesday. Since he was going to be down until then anyway, and the Indians can back-date his DL stint to May 10, the team wanted to be cautious.
“It just seemed like not a fun call, but an easy one,” Francona said. “We need to look at the big picture and take care of him. I think he understood and I think this makes sense. Hopefully, he’ll go there and this is the guy that’s been in that shoulder and we can figure out how to best get him back.”
Brantley played in two Cactus League games in spring training and then had to be shut down. Then he played 11 regular season games and is being shut down for a second time.
Through the lens of the Indians’ 2016 chances, the bigger question isn’t how the club handles Brantley’s absence through the next week and a half—Michael Martinez was recalled as utility depth and Roberto Perez was moved to the 60-day disable list to facilitate the moves. It’s more-so how the shoulder holds up into June, July and the latter parts of the season.
“I hope not,” Francona said when asked if he thought this might be a recurring issue all year long. “For his sake, for everybody’s sake, I hope not. I think it’s something he’ll have to manage. He had surgery. But even last week, he really felt like the he was coming and getting better. I think he was really pleased. It’s a small joint and if you get inflammation or something, then that makes you feel weak.”
A major question now becomes if the Indians rushed Brantley back too soon. Twice now, Brantley has felt good and passed all of his milestones quicker than expected. But, twice, he eventually felt enough soreness to force his departure from the lineup.
The Indians felt good about his return and that he was ready. The response to extended work, though, hasn’t been what they had hoped or expected.
“We don’t have a crystal ball. … There wasn’t a reason to hold him back,” Francona said. “If we operated under those scenarios, we may never play a game. I think you try to make the best decisions you can.”
One of the Indians’ biggest question marks this season continues to be the result of a shoulder surgery from last November. It remains unanswered.