Brantley likely to begin the season on IL
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Astros outfielder Michael Brantley will “probably” begin the regular season on the injured list, manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday, confirming an inevitable conclusion to Brantley’s circuitous spring. Earlier this month, Brantley stepped away from camp twice to deal with a family matter, putting him behind schedule in his recovery from shoulder surgery.
“We’ve run out of time, so to speak,” Baker said Tuesday. “It’s OK. I said a couple weeks ago he’s like Kawhi Leonard. We’re willing to wait on him because we know when we get Michael back, we have an excellent player.”
Brantley has progressed to taking batting practice on the field, but Baker said Tuesday he is not close to appearing in a Grapefruit League game. Houston has just five spring training games remaining before camp concludes.
Brantley missed most of last season with a labral tear in his right shoulder. Houston resigned him to a one-year, incentive-laden deal this winter with salary escalators based on plate appearances. The contract carries a $12 million base salary, but Brantley could make an extra $4 million if he takes at least 525 plate appearances.
The Astros face a fascinating decision to replace Brantley on the opening-day roster. Both Bligh Madris and J.J. Matijevic are lefthanded hitting, left field options on the 40-man roster, but prospect Justin Dirden may force the team’s hand and steal the spot.
Dirden is a lefthanded hitter with ample experience at all three outfield positions. He is 7-for-20 this spring and has turned heads throughout camp with an above average throwing arm and sneaky speed.
Dirden is not on the team’s 40-man roster and has played just 32 games above Class AA. Whether the Astros believe he could benefit from more at-bats in Class AAA — or if they simply value more major league experience from Matijevic or Madris — will dictate Dirden’s fate.