Houston Astros fans frustrated as outfielder Michael Brantley is expected to open season on the injured list: "This dude is annoying"

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley is likely to open the season on the injured list, according to a report from Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. Brantley, who is 35, is still recovering from surgery on his right shoulder last August. He also missed time from spring training camp due to a personal matter.

According to Rome, Astros manager Dusty Baker "all but confirmed" that Brantley would not be ready for opening day, although no confirmation has been made yet.

Houston Astros fans took the news with a sigh and a shrug. While Brantley was slotted in as the team's No. 2 hitter, he has a long list of injuries through his 14-year career – and he isn't getting any younger.

Last season, he was placed on the injured list on June 27 and then underwent an arthroscopic labral repair procedure in mid-August.

When Brantley plays, he is an offensive threat. He is a career .298 hitter, who hit .306 over the past four seasons with the Houston Astros. However, he has also only played in 379 games over those four seasons – including just 64 games last season.

The most games that Brantley has played in a season was 156, coming in 2014, when he placed third in the American League MVP voting.

The Astros will now be without the top two hitters in their lineup, as Jose Altuve is out indefinitely with a thumb fracture suffered while playing for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. No one is sure when Altuve or Brantley will take the field.

Fangraphs projects Houston moving shortstop Jeremy Pena into the leadoff slot, with right fielder Kyle Tucker sliding into the No. 2 position.

Those waiting on Brantley to be healthy and ready may be waiting for a long while. Thankfully for Astros fans, Houston has a lot of depth both offensively and defensively as they pursue the team's second-straight World Series title this season.

Houston Astros open title defense on March 30

Michael Brantley of the Houston Astros celebrates while holding the commissioner's trophy.

The Houston Astros will begin defense of their 2022 World Series championship on Thursday, March 30, when they host the Chicago White Sox.

The Astros will host the White Sox and Detroit Tigers over the first week of the season before opening their first road trip of the campaign with a series against the Minnesota Twins.