As reported by ESPN, Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley had his right shoulder surgically repaired Monday morning. Brantley tore his labrum while diving for a ball against the Minnesota Twins back on September 22. Brantley was given a cortisone shot in an effort to keep him playing in the midst of a wild-card hunt, but he was ultimately shut down in the last week of season once Cleveland was eliminated from playoff contention. Cleveland’s best player will miss the start of the season due to an estimated recovery period of five to six months.
Brantley was vague when discussing his injury earlier in the season, even going as far as saying he would not need surgery. After the season ended, Brantley completed a rehab program in an effort to avoid having the surgery; however, there was no improvement in the condition of his shoulder. The consultation and the surgery was done by Dr. Craig Morgan, who felt the surgery was necessary.
Through an injury plagued season in which he was limited to just 137 games, Brantley still put up a .310 batting average, hit fifteen home runs, and finished first in the American League in doubles with forty-five. This is a tough break for the Indians, who will be without their All-Star outfielder to start the season, and potentially for the entire month of April. The Indians open their season at home on April 4.
According to HopkinsMedicine.org, “The labrum is a piece of fibrocartilage (rubbery tissue) attached to the rim of the shoulder socket that helps keep the ball of the joint in place. When this cartilage is torn, it is called a labral tear. Labral tears may result from injury, or sometimes as part of the aging process. Symptoms and treatment vary depending on the type and severity of the tear.” Such a tear in a baseball player affects every part of the player’s game, from playing the field to swinging a bat.
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