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Brantley unsure of return from shoulder injury

Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

CLEVELAND - Indians outfielder Michael Brantley has no timetable for his return from the shoulder injury that has sidelined him for the second time this season.

Brantley spoke to reporters Saturday for the first time since being placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 14. He began the season on the DL following surgery for a torn right labrum in November. Brantley hit .231 with seven RBIs in 11 games before being shut down again.

''I wasn't bouncing back quick enough to keep playing back-to-back games, which is very important,'' he said. ''I want to be healthy each and every day and I have to play at a high level. This is the major leagues. You have to be at the best of your ability and the highest health-wise you can be.''

Brantley, who received an anti-inflammatory shot in the shoulder two weeks ago, doesn't think he returned from the surgery too soon.

''I was ready,'' he said. ''We talked about it. We had a great process laid out. Everything went smoothly. It was just a bump in the road.''

Brantley has been hitting off a tee but isn't sure when he will begin taking swings in the batting cage. He is playing catch since he throws left-handed but wants to be cautious about resuming a hitting program.

''Surgery is nothing to play with,'' he said. ''You have to be smart and understand your body.''

Brantley visited Dr. Craig Morgan, who performed the surgery, in Wilmington, Delaware after he returned to the DL. An MRI showed no changes in the shoulder.

''He said everything checks out good, just make sure to take your time and we'll see what happens from there,'' Brantley said.

Brantley finished third in the AL MVP voting in 2014 when he hit .327 with 20 homers and 97 RBIs. He batted .310 with 15 homers and 84 RBIs last season.

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