Having missed last year's Astros playoff run to a World Series championship, veteran outfielder Michael Brantley proclaimed himself 100 percent healthy on Friday. What that means for his playing time in the American League Division Series remains to be seen.
The Astros open defense of their World Series title when they play the Twins in Game 1 of the ALDS at 3:45 p.m. CT Saturday at Minute Maid Park with Justin Verlander on the mound.
Brantley underwent shoulder surgery in August 2022 and missed the first 136 games of this season while he recovered. The recovery was slow-going, with Brantley nearly returning to action in early May before he was shut down with a setback. Brantley finally returned on Aug. 29 and started 14 games for the Astros, hitting .278 with two homers and seven RBIs.
Brantley started 10 games in left field and four at designated hitter but didn't play on consecutive days after starting three games in a row Sept. 9-11. He missed eight consecutive games from Sept. 18-26 with some shoulder soreness but will be good to go with five days off since the end of the regular season.
"Just having a few days off was great for me, getting some extra treatment," Brantley said. "I'm in a great position and feel great physically and excited to get going."
Brantley had multiple hits in five of his first 10 starts this year and banged out four hits Sept. 27 at Seattle. If there are any doubts that Brantley can still put the bat on the ball at 36 years old, put them to bed. Brantley provides Astros manager Dusty Baker with a solid left-handed pinch-hit option off the bench if he isn't starting.
"I'm very thankful for this opportunity and I can't wait for [Saturday]," Brantley said. "I don't know if I'll sleep much tonight because I'll be excited to play along with the great group of guys in this locker room and for this organization. We worked really hard together to get here and it's going to be a great day [Saturday]."
In 54 career playoff games (18 with Houston), Brantley is slashing .296/.357/.380 with four homers and 25 RBIs, with his most recent playoff action coming in the 2021 World Series loss to Atlanta. He watched from the dugout when the Astros won the World Series last year, and the Astros re-signed him to a $12 million contract with the hope he'd be ready to play in April.
The shoulder didn't cooperate, and Brantley spent most of the season rehabbing. And now he's ready for his return to the postseason.
"I'm ready," he said. "I have zero limitations. I did a great job with the training staff. I thank them very much for putting in the time and effort. Obviously, getting these days off helped as well and I'm really excited."
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