Spring Headlines: Michael Brantley unlikely for opening day
Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley had been making steady progress in his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery. There was even some hope he could be ready for opening day after making a quicker than expected return to spring training action.
Unfortunately, that optimism has all but vanished now after Brantley was advised to rest and allow his shoulder to continue healing. With the Indians breaking camp on Thursday, it has become a race against the clock, and based on manager Terry Francona’s comments on Saturday, the clock may have already run out.
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“I don’t think you’ll see him playing in a major-league game this week that’s for sure,” Francona told reporters in Goodyear, Ariz. “How we go about the next three or four days, we’ll have a better idea later today.”
According to Paul Hoynes of the Clevelaind Plain Dealer, Brantley is still considered ahead of schedule in his recovery. The Indians were preparing to be without him for most, if not all of April, and at times thought mid-May might be the most reasonable expectation. The main thing though is just having Brantley healthy, because he’s a big part of the lineup.
Over the past two seasons, Brantley has been one of baseball’s most productive hitters, batting .319/.382.494. That includes two straight seasons with 45 doubles and 35 total home runs.
OTHER SPRING HEADLINES
Another one?: Dodgers left-hander Scott Kazmir left Saturday’s start against the Mariners with some abdominal discomfort. Though he insisted afterward that he felt fine. [@McCulloughTimes]
Weird injury alert: Brewers reliever Will Smith tore a knee ligament removing a shoe. [The Stew]
Ailing: Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock is another star who may begin the season on the DL. He’s dealing with soreness in his right elbow. [MLB.com]
Season preview: Can new leadership get the Dodgers over the hump? [The Stew]
Added depth: The Reds added veteran reliever Ross Ohlendorf on a one-year deal. [AP]
Reassigned: The comeback story of Carlos Quentin hit a bump Sunday. He was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Twins. [MLB.com]
Big development: Cuban baseball commissioner Heriberto Suárez says his country is open to allowing MLB defectors to play on their national team. [The Stew]
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
