Astros' Michael Brantley placed on IL with knee discomfort

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley hasn't appeared in a game since he suffered right knee discomfort in Saturday's loss to the Los Angeles Angels. 

Per ESPN, Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters ahead of Wednesday's matchup at the Texas Rangers that Brantley was going on the injured list. It was originally hoped Brantley may be cleared to return on Friday night, if only as a designated hitter, but that will no longer be an option. 

"It's not worse, we just didn't think he was going to be ready to be 100% by the weekend," Baker said of Brantley. "We're trying to get him back to 100% so we can make this stretch drive and hopefully into the playoffs." 

According to ESPN stats, Brantley sits fourth in all of MLB with a .315 batting average, and the 34-year-old also has eight home runs and 45 RBI on the season. The five-time All-Star was out 12 games earlier this year because of a hamstring issue. 

Houston begins Wednesday night at 84-60 and in first place in the American League West standings, six-and-a-half games up on the second-place Seattle Mariners. The Astros play at Texas again Thursday before they open a home series versus the last-place Arizona Diamondbacks.