Brantley goes on IL due to shoulder pain

NEW YORK — The Astros placed left fielder Michael

Brantley on the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday’s game against the Mets with a right shoulder injury.

Brantley exited Houston’s 6-3 loss against the Yankees on Sunday with what the team described as “right shoulder discomfort.” Manager Dusty

Baker did not offer any further specifics after the game.

Brantley mirrored his manager Tuesday, keeping many details of his ailment hidden. Asked whether the injury occurred on one play or whether it had been a season-long problem, Brantley replied “a little bit of both.”

“As competitors and baseball players you want to be out there with your teammates,” Brantley said. “You try as much as you can to stay on the field, but at this time, it was best for myself and for this organization and this team to get back 100 percent healthy.”

Brantley said he will see the Astros’ team doctors when the club returns to Houston on Wednesday to get a more clear understanding of his timetable. The earliest Brantley can return is July 8 against the A’s.

Brantley boasted a .288 batting average and .370 on-base percentage before his injury. Both numbers trail only Yordan

Alvarez for the Astros’ lead. Brantley batted .333/.402/.474 in 87 June plate appearances as Baker’s two-hole hitter.

“We have a good idea of what we need to do to get back as soon as possible,” Brantley said. “I’m not happy to go on the IL for this, but at the same time, it’s in the best interest of being 100 percent healthy moving forward.” Outfielder Chas McCormick, whom the team surprisingly demoted to Class AAA Sugar Land on Sunday, re-joined the team on Tuesday to take Brantley’s roster spot. McCormick, Alvarez and

Aledmys Díaz should split duties in left field in Brantley’s absence. Baker batted rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña second in his batting order on Tuesday.

Space Cowboys lose on grand slam

Sugar Land’s bullpen coughed up a two-run lead in the ninth inning and another in the 11th as Albuquerque prevailed 11-9 on a grand slam by Alan Trejo at Isotopes Park.

Jon Olczak took the loss as he couldn’t hold a 9-7 lead. Similarly, Ronel Blanco couldn’t hold a 7-5 lead in the ninth.

Recently demoted center fielder Jose Siri had two hits and drove in three runs, two with a go-ahead double in the seventh inning.