Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley undergeos surgery on right shoulder

The Cleveland Indians will once again be forced to suffer through the beginning of the season without outfielder Michael Brantley.

After two stellar seasons with the Cleveland Indians, star outfielder Michael Brantley will most likely start next year’s campaign on the disabled list. Multiple outlets are reporting, that Brantley underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Brantley suffered the injury back in September on a diving catch he attempted against the Minnesota Twins.

The arthroscopic procedure should take him 5-6 months to fully recover from, thus jeopardizing his opening day status. The worst possible scenario is that the Indians will be without their best all around player for up to two months. Last season Brantley only managed to suit up for 137 games which is fewest total since 2011 when he battled against back and shoulder injuries, per Matt Lyons of Lets Go Tribe.

Since his break out season in 2014, when he had 200 hits and drove in a whopping 94 runs, Brantley has been one of the key players for a young Indians team looking for a playoff berth. Despite being curtailed in 2015 the talented outfielder still managed to swat 15 homeruns to go along with a league leading 45 doubles, all stats via ESPN, while maintaining his high level of defensive contribution in left field.

Initially the Indians tried to downplay the severity of the injury, and stated that resting Brantley was merely a precaution since they were already out of the playoff picture. However now that a second opinion confirmed fears, Brantley and the organization decided to send him under the knife. Hopefully for Indians fans, the superstar athlete makes a speedy recovery for the Spring.