Astros outfielder Michael Brantley to miss rest of season after shoulder surgery

The Astros were dealt a significant injury blow this week, as outfielder Michael Brantley underwent right shoulder surgery Wednesday that will rule him out for the rest of the season.

Brantley is a five-time All Star (as recently as last season), who hit .311 for Houston last season and appeared in 121 regular season games.

The outfielder’s 2022 ends with 64 games and five home runs under his belt.

He last appeared in a game on June 26.

‘There were a lot of different avenues that were taken to try to get Michael back on the field in time for the end of the season,’ general manager James Click said Friday, according to the Associated Press. 

‘And ultimately, after consultation with our trainers and doctors, we came to the conclusion that this was the right path for him long-term for his health.’

Brantley has been with the Astros for their World Series appearances in 2019 and 2021, and he’s a career .296 postseason hitter.

Brantley hadn’t appeared in an MLB game since June 26, and has now undergone surgery

His loss will be felt for an Astros team that is 72-41, first in the AL West and eyeing another deep postseason run.

 ‘He tried hard to get back,’ Astros manager Dusty Baker said. 

‘He got a number of opinions, he got a couple of procedural things — it just didn’t work.’

Brantley, pictured on July 22, is a career .298 hitter, with 127 home runs to his name as well

While Brantley will be missing on the field, Baker indicated that he’ll make his presence felt in different ways.

‘Michael’s a big part of this club, not only on the field, but in the clubhouse and dugout and on the planes. He’s not called “Uncle Mike” for nothing.

 ‘He wants to come around and be a part of this club as much as he can because a lot of guys depend on him.’