Brantley (Shoulder) Sits Wednesday: Could Return By Thursday

Michael Brantley is day-to-day as he tries to recover from an ailing right shoulder that has bothered him for quite some time.

The shoulder injury flared when the Cleveland Indians outfielder was removed from Tuesday’s game after he dove for a fly ball. Brantley missed Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins but the injury didn’t get any worse, which means he could be back in the lineup as early as Thursday.

Michael Brantley came to park Wed and shoulder wasn't any worse than it was Tues. night. Worked with trainers, cld take some swings in cage.

— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) September 23, 2015

It’s bad timing for fantasy owners as they’re nearing the end of their respective playoffs, but it’s not good for an Indians team that trails for the second AL Wild Card spot by four games with only 12 to play. If Cleveland loses on Wednesday, it will fall further back in the race, and it can’t afford to lose its best player any longer.

Brantley has a .314 BA with 15 HR, 84 RBI and 14 SB over 135 games this season. The 28-year-old has proved that he’s one of the best all-around fantasy options out there as well as one of the best outfielders in the AL.