ATLANTA -- A week after being diagnosed with right biceps tendinitis, Michael Brantley hit off a tee for the second consecutive day, Indians manager Terry Francona said on Tuesday.
"I think he took 50 or 55 swings and by all accounts really did well," Francona said. "We'll let him continue on this path until we get home, and then we'll get our eyes on him and maybe start to set up a little bit of a calendar."
Brantley, who has been sidelined for most of the year with a right shoulder injury, flew to Dallas last Tuesday for a second opinion after feeling discomfort in his lower shoulder/bicep. There, he received a cortisone shot for the tendinitis.
At the time, Francona was encouraged that the outfielder was experiencing soreness in his biceps as opposed to his shoulder.
Brantley underwent offseason shoulder surgery and opened the year on the disabled list. He returned to the Indians on April 25, but he played in only 11 games before going back on the DL on May 14 with lingering discomfort in his shoulder.
During his brief stint with the team, Brantley batted .231 (9-for-39) with two doubles and seven RBIs.
The former All-Star suffered multiple setbacks in May and June, but he appeared to be progressing in his recovery before feeling discomfort last week after increasing the intensity of his rehab.
Francona said on Tuesday that the team could establish a timetable for Brantley's return based on how he feels, but they'd rather play it safe.
"When you're down this long, you've got to remember that and let them build back up," Francona said, "because even without injury, he can't just jump in and make it all up in one week or it's not going to work."
Brantley hit .310 with 15 home runs and 84 RBIs a season ago. But without perhaps its best offensive weapon, the Tribe has outscored its opponents 68-22 during the MLB-best 10-game winning streak it carries into Tuesday's contest at Turner Field.
Worth noting
• The Indians have agreed to terms with fourth-round Draft pick Shane Bieber, MLB Pipeline's Jim Callis reported on Tuesday.
Bieber, the No. 122 overall selection out of UC Santa Barbara, will receive a $420,000 contract bonus, according to Callis. Slot value for the pick was $482,500.
The right-hander played an influential role in helping the Gauchos make their first College World Series appearance in program history, posting a 2.74 ERA over 134 2/3 innings as a junior.