AL West Notes: Brantley, Alvarez, Scherzer

Michael Brantley’s health has been a lingering concern for the Astros this year. However, the veteran outfielder recently expressed optimism about his availability for the postseason. In an interview with Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, Brantley stated that he would be “100% available” with “no limitations” for the playoffs. This contradicts earlier statements made by GM Dana Brown and manager Dusty Baker, leaving us unsure if Brantley’s condition has improved or if he is simply more confident.

In a press conference, Brown mentioned that Brantley felt “good enough to be on the roster” and confirmed that the five-time All-Star would be able to play throughout the postseason. Baker, on the other hand, expressed his willingness to utilize Brantley in whatever capacity he can, even if it’s for just a couple of games.

While the term “playable” doesn’t necessarily imply “no limitations,” the bottom line is that Brantley believes he is healthy enough to earn a spot on the 26-man postseason roster. After missing the first five months of the season due to a shoulder injury, Brantley struggled even after his return, experiencing lingering pain. In mid-September, he had to sit out for ten days, only appearing in three of the Astros’ last 12 games. His performance in 2023 was decent but not remarkable, finishing with a .724 OPS in 57 plate appearances.

However, if Brantley has truly regained full strength, his presence could have a significant impact on the upcoming American League Division Series (ALDS). When he was last healthy, Brantley showcased impressive offensive numbers, batting .288/.370/.416 with a 127 wRC+ during the first three months of the 2022 season. He has historically excelled against right-handed pitchers, which bodes well for the Astros since the Twins, their ALDS opponents, primarily feature right-handed starters.

Here are other updates from the AL West teams involved in the postseason:

• Yordan Alvarez of the Astros confirmed that the elbow pain he experienced in September is no longer a concern. Despite dealing with discomfort, Alvarez delivered an outstanding performance, hitting .293/.441/.620 and earning the AL Player of the Month award for September. While he isn’t known for his defensive skills, Alvarez’s ability to play in the outfield provides Dusty Baker with more versatility when setting the lineup. For example, Brantley could have some rest as the designated hitter, or backup catcher Yainer Diaz could see more playing time.
• In Texas, the Rangers’ star pitcher Max Scherzer continues to progress towards a potential return this postseason. According to GM Chris Young, Scherzer might attempt to face live hitters, which would be a positive sign of improvement. Scherzer threw a bullpen session earlier in the week, and the fact that he is prepared to throw again within just two days is encouraging. Previously, it seemed unlikely that the 39-year-old would pitch again in 2023, but his recent progress suggests that he could potentially contribute in the ALDS. Nonetheless, the Rangers are still urging caution, and they will evaluate Scherzer’s condition before making any decisions.