With an injury to his right ankle, he was put on the disabled list on August 8th. The Indians were worried enough to make a trade the next day for outfielder Jay Bruce.
Brantley had not returned by late September, and the Indians admitted there was a slim chance he would play again this season, even if they made the playoffs.
Michael Brantley batted .299 with nine home runs and 52 RBI in 88 games. He was reactivated with two games left to play so the team could see whether he might help in the playoffs.
Brantley was not at 100%, and the Indians would have liked not to use him, but an injury to Edwin Encarnacion in Game 2 of the ALDS forced them to use him.
As the Indians were eliminated in five games, he went 1 for 11 on the season. He had surgery on his right ankle after the season to fix it.
He was placed on the injured list to begin the 2018 season, but he was activated before the Indians’ home opener on April 6th.
In the first inning, he led the Indians to a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals with a two-run single-off Danny Duffy of the Kansas City Royals.
How Old Is Michael Brantley?
Michael Brantley is 35 years old. He was born on May 15, 1987.