Indians OF Michael Brantley Takes BP; Excited About Hopeful Return to the Roster

CLEVELAND – Indians outfielder Michael Brantley appears closer to getting back on the field, and took a step in the right direction on Tuesday taking batting practice at Progressive Field before the Indians encounter with the rival Tigers.

“I was able to take BP pain free, able to swing the bat like I normally do. It’s a great feeling,” Brantley told 92.3 The Fan’s T.J. Zuppe after taking some swings.

The former All-Star has played in just 11 games after going back on the disabled list on May 14th as his surgically-repaired right shoulder just wasn’t responding as well as he and the team would have liked it to.

“We need to look at the big picture and take care of him,” Indians manager Terry Francona said when the team placed Brantley back on the DL.

“I think he understood, and I think this makes sense.”

In those 11 games Brantley hit just .231 with no homers and 7 runs batted in.

Tuesday Brantley sounded like he was ready to end his time just watching the first place Indians, and is ready to jump back into action for hopefully the rest of the 2016 season.

Michael Brantley on his plan for the upcoming All-Star Break: pic.twitter.com/jSuj7mjyVW

— T.J. Zuppe (@TJZuppe) July 5, 2016