NOVEMBER 1 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Should The Guardians Bring Back Michael Brantley? Michael Brantley may not be a good fit for the Cleveland Guardians.
In lineup for Game 6 Brantley is starting in left field and batting second in Game 6 of the ALCS against the Rangers on Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Impact The veteran slugger will make just his third start of the series as Houston attempts punch its ticket to the World Series at home. Through six playoffs games this year, Brantley has gone 5-for-20 with a double, a homer, two walks, a stolen base and two RBI.
OCTOBER 22 • ROTOWIRE
Out of lineup for Game 5 Brantley isn't in the Astros' lineup for Game 5 of the ALCS against Texas.
Impact Brantley will start on the bench as Houston rolls out an outfield unit of Chas McCormick, Mauricio Dubon and Kyle Tucker for the second consecutive game. The 36-year-old Brantley is 5-for-19 with a homer and two RBI during the postseason.
OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE
Not in lineup for Game 4 Brantley is not in the lineup Thursday for Game 4 of the ALCS versus the Rangers.
Impact Brantley should appear off the bench at some point, but the Astros will start Chas McCormick, Mauricio Dubon and Kyle Tucker across the outfield with left-hander Andrew Heaney taking the mound first for Texas. The left-handed-hitting Brantley has posted an .807 OPS across 21 plate appearances this postseason.
OCTOBER 19 • ROTOWIRE
On bench for Game 1 Brantley is out of the lineup for Game 1 of the ALCS against the Rangers on Sunday.
Impact The 36-year-old will take a seat for the series opener with lefty Jordan Montgomery on the mound for Texas. Mauricio Dubon will start in center field while Chas McCormick moves to left in place of Brantley.
OCTOBER 15 • ROTOWIRE
Not in lineup for Game 3 Brantley is not in the lineup for Game 3 of the ALDS on Tuesday at Minnesota.
Impact Brantley takes a seat after going 2-for-7 with two singles, two strikeouts and a walk over the first two games of the best-of-five series. Yainer Diaz will serve as the Astros' designated hitter and Yordan Alvarez is patrolling left field Tuesday versus the Twins and right-hander Sonny Gray.
OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE
No limitations for ALDS Brantley said Friday that he'll be "100 percent available" and has "no limitations" for the ALDS, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Impact Brantley didn't make his season debut for the Astros until late August following a slow recovery from shoulder surgery and wound up starting just 14 of 29 contests down the stretch while battling nagging issues with the shoulder. Just Thursday, manager Dusty Baker admitted he wasn't sure how much he'd get out of Brantley during the series versus the Twins. However, the 36-year-old contends that he won't have any restrictions heading into the ALDS.
OCTOBER 6 • ROTOWIRE
Michael Brantley ready for a full postseason, but where does he fit?: Astros notes Also in the notes: Whether Jose Urquidy ends up in the rotation or the bullpen; Two catchers looking likely; Front office promotions
OCTOBER 5 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Wild card for ALDS Astros manager Dusty Baker admitted Thursday that he's not sure what he'll be able to get out of Brantley during the ALDS versus the Twins, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Impact Brantley was in and out of the lineup down the stretch for Houston while battling nagging soreness in his surgically repaired shoulder. He hit well when available in slashing .294/.302/.451 with two homers over 14 games. Brantley will be on the Astros' ALDS roster and the team hopes he'll be healthy enough to play every day, but it's not guaranteed.
OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE
Resting Saturday Brantley will sit Saturday against Arizona.
Impact Brantley returned in late August after missing more than a year due to shoulder surgery, then missed eight games earlier this month due to soreness in the same shoulder. When available, he's been effective, hitting .294/.302/.451 with a pair of homers through 14 games.
SEPTEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE
Brantley leads Astros against the Diamondbacks following 4-hit performance
The Houston Astros play the Arizona Diamondbacks after Michael Brantley had four hits on Wednesday in an 8-3 win over the MarinersSEPTEMBER 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Four hits in return Brantley went 4-for-5 with a double, one RBI and one run scored in Wednesday's 8-3 win over the Mariners.
Impact Brantley was a powerhouse from the No. 6 spot in the lineup after an eight-game absence. The outfielder contributed an RBI single as the Astros padded their lead with a seventh-inning rally. He's batting .319 over 13 contests this season while adding two homers, seven RBI, seven runs scored and two doubles. The 36-year-old hasn't attempted a stolen base in his limited action.
SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE
Returns to lineup Wednesday Brantley (shoulder) is back in the lineup Wednesday versus the Mariners.
Impact Brantley will start in left field and bat sixth for the visiting Astros after missing eight straight games because of more shoulder discomfort. He's produced two homers, six RBI and six runs scored in 12 games when healthy this season.
SEPTEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE
Remains out Tuesday Brantley (shoulder) isn't in the Astros' lineup Tuesday against the Mariners.
Impact Brantley was available off the bench Monday but never came into the game, and he will continue to sit Tuesday due to shoulder soreness. Yordan Alvarez will start in left field while Yainer Diaz operates as the designated hitter.
SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE
Available off bench Brantley (shoulder) will be available off the bench Monday against the Mariners, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Impact The veteran isn't listed in the starting lineup for the series opener, but skipper Dusty Baker stated before the contest that Brantley will be available if called upon. He's been dealing with a shoulder issue since Sept. 17 and hasn't seen any action since.
SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE
Continues to sit Brantley (shoulder) is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Mariners.
Impact Brantley's shoulder issue will keep him out of the starting nine for the seventh time in as many games. He remains on Houston's active roster for the time being, but it's unclear when he will be ready to play again.
SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE
Remains on bench Sunday Brantley (shoulder) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Impact Brantley hasn't been in the starting lineup since Sept. 17 due to shoulder soreness, and his absence will extend to six games Sunday. Chas McCormick will receive a turn as Houston's designated hitter while Mauricio Dubon starts in center field.
SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE
Shoulder still bothersome Brantley's general soreness, which has kept him out of the lineup for five consecutive games, is mostly concentrated in his shoulder, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports...
Impact Brantley returned in late August after shoulder surgery kept him off the field for over a year, but he only lasted 12 games before health concerns popped up again. Given that the Astros are now acknowledging that his soreness is located in that same surgically repaired shoulder, it's more difficult to see him shaking the issue off and playing a meaningful role over the final week of the regular season.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
Remains sidelind Brantley (soreness) remains on the bench for Saturday's game against the Royals.
Impact Brantley will sit for the fifth straight game while dealing with general soreness. Shoulder troubles prevented him from making his season debut until late August, and he recorded a modest .702 OPS in 12 games between his return and his recent shutdown. It's not clear that he'll be able to play a significant role for the Astros over the final eight days of the season.
SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
Remains out Friday Brantley (soreness) isn't in the Astros' lineup Friday against the Royals.
Impact Brantley has now missed four straight starts as he continues to deal with general soreness, though he remains listed as day-to-day. Chas McCormick, Mauricio Dubon and Kyle Tucker will start across the outfield Friday while Yordan Alvarez serves as the Astros' DH.
SEPTEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE
Out again Wednesday Brantley (general soreness) is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Orioles.
Impact The Astros are facing righty Kyle Bradish, so Brantley would presumably be in the fold if he were healthy enough. Brantley hasn't placed since Sunday due to general soreness. Yainer Diaz gets the start at designated hitter. Houston has an off day Thursday, so perhaps Brantley could be of service this weekend against the Royals after resting the first four days of the week.
SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE
Managing soreness Manager Dusty Baker said Brantley, who is out of the lineup Tuesday versus the Orioles, is "a little sore" and "ailing some," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Impact Brantley doesn't appear to be dealing with a specific injury, but the general soreness is keeping him from the lineup Tuesday for the second straight day. The 36-year-old could be held out again Wednesday since Houston has a scheduled day off Thursday, which would give him four full days of rest ahead of Friday's series opener versus Kansas City.
SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE
On bench again Tuesday Brantley is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles.
Impact It's the second consecutive game out of the lineup for Brantley, who has a .702 OPS in 44 plate appearances since being activated from the injured list and is 2-for-16 over his past four contests. Yordan Alvarez will serve as the designated hitter while Chas McCormick mans left field.
SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE
Gets breather Monday Brantley is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles.
Impact Brantley has not started against a left-handed pitcher since making his season debut in late August, and that pattern will continue, as he will open on the bench Monday with southpaw John Means toeing the rubber for the opponent. Mauricio Dubon will enter the lineup in Brantley's place.
SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE
