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Indians refute report that Brantley will miss time in 2017

Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Cleveland Indians refuted a report earlier Thursday from Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports that indicated Michael Brantley will miss significant playing time in 2017 because of lingering problems with his right shoulder.

Brantley, who was limited to 11 games this season, was confused when reporters asked him about it at Comerica Park on Thursday morning, according to Cleveland.com's Paul Hoynes.

"I'm out again?" said Brantley, who underwent season-ending surgery Aug. 15. "Maybe he knows something I don't."

Brantley suffered the injury in September 2015, underwent his first surgery in November to repair a torn labrum, and required a second operation (in August) to remove the biceps tendon and relocate it. This season, he suffered from persistent aggravation in his shoulder and couldn't maintain his strength from game to game.

President of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said the team still expects the outfielder will be ready for spring training.

"We were told after the second surgery that the timeline (for recovery) would be four to five months," Antonetti told reporters. "As far as I know, nothing has changed."

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