MLB.Com’s Jordan Bastian on Indians OF Michael Brantley: “I Don’t Think You an Count on Him”

Jordan Basitan of MLB.com was on 92.3 The Fan today, and commented on the ongoing situation with Indians outfielder Michael Brantley, who is still trying to work his way back to the Major League roster.

Basitan, who is in Washington with the team for their two-game set against the Nats, said that he feels the thought of Brantley coming back to the Major League roster at this point may very well be a stretch.

“I almost think the Indians need to operate under that assumption,” Bastian said of Brantley not playing this season. “They tried to acquire (Jonathan) Lucroy and did get Brandon Guyer to shore up the outfield.

“I don’t think you an count on him.”

Brantley is still working on at the plate to try to hit, but that’s about all the team is staying when it comes to his return to the team.

Thus far there’s been no real progress on when he may come back, if at all, Bastian said.

“Still been a slow go, still been vague on what’s going on behind the scenes,” Basitan said.

The Indians former All-Star has played in just 11 games this season, and it just seems like every time he’s making progress, he then goes backwards with his rehab.

It was back on July 22nd that Brantley, who was playing at the time in Akron for the AA Rubberducks, had pain and underwent a hydro-dissection – in addition to an ultrasound – to break up scar tissue near his shoulder and biceps.

Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reported first that Brantley was again dealing with pain and that his comeback had ‘stalled.’