Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was removed from Monday's game against the Angels for precautionary reasons after a hard slide on a double-play ball hit by Jason Kipnis during the third inning.
Brantley was removed after suffering a blow to the head and neck area from Angels' shortstop John McDonald as he was covering second base. Brantley was 1 for 2 in the game with an RBI. Mike Aviles replaced Brantley in the fifth inning.
After the Indians 4-3 win, Terry Francona said that Brantley had passed all the initial concussion protocols and was suffering from a stiff neck. He will be re-evaluated on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Brantley was named American League Player of the Week for the first time in his career after batting .538 last week, which led all hitters in the Majors.
Brantley was 14 of 26 with three doubles, two homers and three RBI. He also had a .625 on-base and .88 slugging percentage. He also has give straight multi-hit games which is a new career high.
In the June 9 win at Texas, he became the first Indians' hitter to score five runs in a game since Joe Carter in 1986.
Coming into this week, Brantley is tied for fourth in the A.L. with a .322 batting average, fourth in runs (49) and hits (85) along with being ninth in RBI with 45. Since May 14, he is hitting .375 (45 for 120) with four home runs and 15 RBI.
This is the first time this season the Tribe has had a Player of the Week and the first since Jason Kipnis did it July 1 of last season.
Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutcheon was the National League Player of the Week.
