The Houston Astros and their fans have been waiting for Michael Brantley's triumphant return, but the path has been anything but straightforward. His recovery was going well, as he rejoined the team on its road trip in Los Angeles. However, he has apparently stopped swinging during his recovery, but manager Dusty Baker says it is not a setback.This is a strange situation. If Brantley was progressing as expected, it'd be surprising to give him rest days just before returning to action. Players typically need to ramp up their baseball activities so they are primed to play at a high level as soon as possible.Chandler Rome of The Athletic shared the confusing update via Twitter.Chandler Rome@Chandler_RomeMichael Brantley has stopped hitting, Dusty Baker said. Baker said it’s unclear when he’ll return and he said it is not a setback.12919Michael Brantley has stopped hitting, Dusty Baker said. Baker said it’s unclear when he’ll return and he said it is not a setback."Michael Brantley stopped hitting. Dusty Baker said it's unclear when he'll return and he said it's not a setback."The Houston Astros have not looked like the World Series champions that they were in 2022. This is due, in large part, to injuries to Michael Brantley and Jose Altuve. Before the update, it was assumed that both players would be back in action soon. Now, it is anybody's guess.Houston Astros fans are disappointed that they have not been given clear and concise updates. Dusty Baker essentially described a setback, and then said it wasn't a setback. While there may be some element of gamesmanship to that, this hardly seems like the time.Joey Barrett@TheJoeyBarrettI don’t even know with this team at this point… 🤦‍♂️ twitter.com/chandler_rome/…Chandler Rome@Chandler_RomeMichael Brantley has stopped hitting, Dusty Baker said. Baker said it’s unclear when he’ll return and he said it is not a setback.13019Michael Brantley has stopped hitting, Dusty Baker said. Baker said it’s unclear when he’ll return and he said it is not a setback.I don’t even know with this team at this point… 🤦‍♂️ twitter.com/chandler_rome/…Barry@Barryandval@Chandler_Rome Hard to believe anything anymore2@Chandler_Rome Hard to believe anything anymoreFrap Slim@FrappuccinoSlim@Chandler_Rome Average Astro injury report: He’s doing great, still day-to-day, the funeral is next week.61@Chandler_Rome Average Astro injury report: He’s doing great, still day-to-day, the funeral is next week.Jiminy Cricket@jimmycrackaStro@Chandler_Rome Lol. What a joke. It’s always something22@Chandler_Rome Lol. What a joke. It’s always somethingAstros SZN@AstrosSZNWell, at least he didn’t cite HIPAA this time twitter.com/chandler_rome/…Chandler Rome@Chandler_RomeMichael Brantley has stopped hitting, Dusty Baker said. Baker said it’s unclear when he’ll return and he said it is not a setback.219Michael Brantley has stopped hitting, Dusty Baker said. Baker said it’s unclear when he’ll return and he said it is not a setback.Well, at least he didn’t cite HIPAA this time twitter.com/chandler_rome/…Christopher Ellisor@ChrisEllisor15Stopped hitting = not a setback twitter.com/chandler_rome/…Chandler Rome@Chandler_RomeMichael Brantley has stopped hitting, Dusty Baker said. Baker said it’s unclear when he’ll return and he said it is not a setback.13019Michael Brantley has stopped hitting, Dusty Baker said. Baker said it’s unclear when he’ll return and he said it is not a setback.Stopped hitting = not a setback twitter.com/chandler_rome/… https://t.co/GCjpZnnJ5EThe Astros had rather incredible injury luck in 2022, rarely facing a long-term issue for a top player. Now, the tides have turned and the rest of the American League West is taking advantage. The Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels, and Texas Rangers are all in a great position after the first month of the season. If Michael Brantley isn't back soon, the Astros' deficit could get even worse.Space City Sports@LiveSCSHey Siri, define “Unreliable Narrator” twitter.com/chandler_rome/…Chandler Rome@Chandler_RomeMichael Brantley has stopped hitting, Dusty Baker said. Baker said it’s unclear when he’ll return and he said it is not a setback.119Michael Brantley has stopped hitting, Dusty Baker said. Baker said it’s unclear when he’ll return and he said it is not a setback.Hey Siri, define “Unreliable Narrator” twitter.com/chandler_rome/…ᒿ𝔁 𝓦𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓶𝓹𝓼 𝓒𝓞𝓜𝓔𝓣 ᔰᔰ ☄️✭@AstrosBlast22Stops all baseball activities Unclear when he’ll returnBut it’s not a setback What is it you just don’t want to play him now that Jake Meyers is playing somewhat decent twitter.com/chandler_rome/…Chandler Rome@Chandler_RomeMichael Brantley has stopped hitting, Dusty Baker said. Baker said it’s unclear when he’ll return and he said it is not a setback.119Michael Brantley has stopped hitting, Dusty Baker said. Baker said it’s unclear when he’ll return and he said it is not a setback.Stops all baseball activities Unclear when he’ll returnBut it’s not a setback What is it you just don’t want to play him now that Jake Meyers is playing somewhat decent twitter.com/chandler_rome/…‎️‍🏳️‍🌈 sunny day 🇺🇸@littlelostsunnyCan baker say things I want to hear, please twitter.com/chandler_rome/…Chandler Rome@Chandler_RomeMichael Brantley has stopped hitting, Dusty Baker said. Baker said it’s unclear when he’ll return and he said it is not a setback.219Michael Brantley has stopped hitting, Dusty Baker said. Baker said it’s unclear when he’ll return and he said it is not a setback.Can baker say things I want to hear, please twitter.com/chandler_rome/…Houston Astros need to find ways to generate offense without Michael Brantley or Jose AltuveHouston Astros v Los Angeles AngelsWithout their stars, the depth of the Astros is being relied on to score enough to support their pitchers. Their pitchers are also injured and are waiting on some key recoveries. Yordan Alvarez and Jeremy Pena are two players who will be looked at to fill these roles.If they cannot, the frustration of their fans will only grow as the team stagnates.