Veteran OF Michael Brantley returning to Astros on 2-year deal

Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Four-time All-Star outfielder Michael Brantley is returning to the Houston Astros on a two-year contract.

League sources told ESPN and MLB Media on Wednesday that Brantley's two-year deal with the Astros is worth $32 million. Houston has yet to confirm the agreement, which is pending a physical.

Earlier Wednesday, it was reported that Brantley had agreed to a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, who had already reached a six-year, $150 million agreement with former Astros teammate George Springer. Instead, Brantley will remain in Houston through the 2022 season.

The 33-year-old Brantley, who alternated between left field and designated hitter, had a .300 batting average with five home runs and 22 RBIs in 46 games with the Astros last season.

The veteran outfielder has recorded a batting average of at least .300 in five seasons since 2014, tying four other players for the most such seasons in that span. He also has struck out in only 10.1% of his plate appearances since 2014 -- third most in the league in that span among those with a minimum of 2,000 plate appearances.

In 1,245 career games between the Cleveland Indians and Astros, Brantley has batted .297 with 114 home runs and 640 RBIs. He finished third in the American League MVP voting in the 2014 season.