HOUSTON — Veteran outfielder Michael Brantley will miss the rest of the season after undergoing an arthroscopic labral repair on his right shoulder, the Astros announced Friday. Brantley, 35, hasn’t played since June 26.
Brantley, in the final year of his contract, was hitting .288 with 14 doubles, five homers, 26 RBIs and a .785 OPS in 64 games as the Astros’ starting left fielder.
Without Brantley, the Astros have split time in left between Chas McCormick and Aledmys Díaz, with Yordan Alvarez getting some starts as well. The club traded for Trey Mancini from the Orioles earlier this month with the belief he could get some time in the small left field at Minute Maid Park.
Brantley signed a two-year, $32 million contract with the Astros prior to the 2019 season and was an All-Star that year, slashing .311/.372/.503 with 22 homers and 90 RBIs to help the Astros reach the World Series. He slashed .300/.364/.476 in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Brantley nearly signed with the Blue Jays after the ’20 season, but the Astros brought him back on a second two-year, $32 million deal. He had another terrific season in ’21, finishing second in the AL batting race by hitting .311.