Michael Brantley (shoulder) could miss significant time for Cleveland in 2017

Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) could miss "significant time" at the beginning of the 2017 season, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

What It Means:

While Brantley and the Indians refute the reports, word is that his recovery could take much longer than the initially projected four months, and that doctors had to "re-anchor the muscle to the bone."

Brantley only played 11 games in the majors this season, and he did not hit well, slashing .231/.279/.282 in 43 plate appearances. He posted a .389 wOBA in 2014 and followed it up with a .368 wOBA in 2015.