Free agent outfielder Michael Brandley He will return to the Houston Astros on a one-year, $12 million deal with the possibility of a $4 million bonus, a source familiar with the situation told ESPN on Sunday.
Brantley, 35, joined the Astros in 2019 and has been a key component on the field and in the locker room during their recent playoff run. A right shoulder injury cut short his 2022 season; He played in just 64 games while missing the playoffs and having arthroscopic labral repair in August.
Brantley excelled last season, posting a .785 OPS with five home runs before going down with an injury. .298 career hitter in 14 seasons with an OPS under .800.
He split his time between left field and designated hitter for Houston in 2022 and is likely to do the same next season. The team also added a first baseman Jose AbreuCan also be seen as DH for some time.
Brantley will be part of a squad that will attempt to repeat as World Series champions in 2023, although a shoulder injury only limited him to cheering for his team last fall.
FanSided first reported the deal on Sunday.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.