Brantley makes long-anticipated return

BOSTON — The Astros reinstated Michael Brantley from the injured list Tuesday, marking the outfielder’s long-anticipated return from right shoulder surgery.

Brantley rejoins the team 14 months removed from his last appearance with the Astros and about a year since he had surgery to repair a torn labrum last August. Houston optioned outfielder Corey Julks to Class AAA Sugar Land in a corresponding move; pitcher Jake Cousins was designated for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot for Brantley, who was on the 60-day injured list.

Manager Dusty Baker slotted Brantley into his lineup in left field and batting sixth Tuesday against Red Sox righthander Brayan Bello. Baker said Brantley is scheduled to start at designated hitter Wednesday with Yordan Alvarez in left field. Alvarez served as DH on Tuesday.

“It’s going to take away from some of the other guys, but they’re not Michael Brantley,” Baker said. “I can play Yordan in left field tomorrow, which he played an excellent left field (Monday) night, prior to the day off (on defense). I’ve just got to plan to take care of both of them and hopefully they’ll take care of us.”

Brantley offers balance to a lineup that had two lefthanded hitting regulars, Alvarez and Kyle Tucker, in his absence.

Baker said he is “not crazy about batting (Brantley) down in the order” but weighed recent production by the top of Houston’s lineup. The Astros entered Tuesday leading the AL in runs scored in August.

Brantley, 36, last played for the Astros on June 26, 2022. He had multiple setbacks this season in his attempt to return, including having a minor league rehab assignment curtailed after nine games in May. He played in seven Class AAA rehab games on a recent stint and was 8-for-23 with three extrabase hits before meeting the Astros in Boston.

“He’s worked hard to get back to this point,” Baker said. “We’ve still got to watch him and keep an eye on him and watch his movements. And hopefully he can play all the way through the season and to the postseason.”

On Monday, Brantley said his “goal is obviously to play as many games as I can. But at the same time, I want to be healthy, and I know I’m going to have to work into it. I haven’t played in a little while. But at the same time, the goal is to get back and play as many games as possible.”

A career .298 hitter, Brantley was an All-Star selection in 2021 and posted a .288/.370/.416 slash line in 64 games last season. Brantley was regularly with the Astros and in the dugout this season as he strove to return from his surgery. After a prolonged wait, he’ll now rejoin them on the field.