GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona said Wednesday that outfielder Michael Brantley is behind the other position players in camp and will not be ready to play when the Cactus League schedule begins Feb. 25 against the Cincinnati Reds.
Brantley's availability for the regular-season opener against Texas on April 3 will depend on the strides he's able to make in his rehab from surgery to repair a torn right biceps. The Indians will leave that part of the equation up to him.
"He's following the protocols the medical people put in place,'' Francona said.