Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Corey Hart returns to the lineup for Wednesday afternoon’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hart has been absent since Sept. 9 with a left foot injury.
The Brewers will be going for a sweep over the Pirates and will be trying to win their fifth straight game. Milwaukee is currently 2 ½ games back of the St. Louis Cardinals for the second Wild Card spot with 14 to play. There is no question they will need Hart in the lineup to continue competing for a postseason berth.
It is rather impressive that the Brewers have been able to win seven out of the nine games without Hart, considering he is one of the hottest hitters on the team. In the 23 games prior to his injury, Hart was batting .346 with four home runs and 15 RBIs. Those 23 games stretch back to when Milwaukee started their incredible hot streak in which they have now won 22 of their last 28.
Hart has admitted his foot injury is “not going to go away” and that he will have to play with pain for the rest of the season. However, he understands his importance to the ball club and is willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good of the team.
Hart suffered the injury Sept. 8 when he tore tissue in the arch of his foot while running past first base towards second and then returning to first. Hart struggled planting his left foot and changing directions, which makes it incredibly difficult to play baseball without being in a great deal of pain. He suffered a setback on Sunday during a pregame session, which caused for more concern among the Brewers.
Thankfully, all of that seems to behind Hart, and the team, for now. The chance of him playing at the same high level does not seem likely right away. It will take a little time for him to get used to playing with the pain, so it may take him a bit longer to get back into the swing of things.
On the other hand, once he does get going it will benefit Milwaukee as they continue to keep pace with the other National League Wild Card contenders.
