Indians Left Fielder Michael Brantley Will Be Activated Off Disabled List For Home Opener Friday Against Royals

The Cleveland Indians plan on activating left fielder Michael Brantley for Friday’s home opener against the Kansas City Royals, according to Tribe manager Terry Francona. Brantley started the season on the disabled list.

The Indians plan to activate Michael Brantley from the disabled list in time for Friday’s home opener.

— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) April 4, 2018

Brantley was having a little bit of a setback following right ankle surgery that he had back in October. The Indians brought him back this off-season and understood that he wouldn’t start the beginning of the season with the team due to his recovery. But after some spring training games and a full bounce-back, the starting left fielder seems ready to resume his starting role.

“Michael is in Cleveland,” Terry Francona told reporters on Wednesday. “He fulfilled his obligation (in Goodyear, Ariz.). The plan, I don’t think it’s a big secret, is to activate him. Using good judgment, we’ll double check with him, but I think everyone is on the same page.” (h/t cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes)

Brantley has had a lot of trouble with injuries over the past two campaigns, playing in only 101 games combined in 2016 and 2017.