BALTIMORE -- The Indians are "cautiously optimistic" about the soreness in Michael Brantley's surgically right shoulder following his latest procedure. Exactly when the outfielder will return to the lineup, however, remains unclear.
Cleveland head athletic trainer James Quinlan revealed before Friday's series opener against the Orioles that Brantley had a small outpatient procedure to relieve scar tissue buildup located in the front of his shoulder (outside of his shoulder joint) along the biceps tendon.
Brantley, on the disabled list since May 14, informed the team he felt soreness in the shoulder earlier in the week during his rehab assignment with Double-A Akron.
Diagnostic ultrasound on the biceps area showed scar tissue, for which a needle was used with local anesthetic to hopefully break it up. Dr. Jason Genin performed the hydrodissection.
"Trying to be cautiously optimistic about it," Quinlan said. "Early next week, get back to swinging and see how it feels."
Considering the scary alternatives, Indians manager Terry Francona embraced the results.
"The fear is when you get tested that extensively, you'll find something on almost anybody," Francona said. "The fact that they really didn't is great news. Now it's just going to be a matter of days before he starts again."
Starts what for when is the question.
"I know he's frustrated," Francona said. "This last little [stretch] has been hard to get through, but we're hopeful he'll be back and raring to go pretty soon."