Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun is still a ways away from being activated off the 15-day disabled list. With that being said, the fact that he was able to take batting practice in the cage on Friday is a good sign. What is even better is that the slugger took batting practice on the field before Saturday’s contest against the New York Mets.
Braun has been slowly making progress on the rehabilitation of his right thumb. An inflamed nerve between his thumb and forefinger had made it very difficult for him to swing a bat prior to being placed on the disabled list. The Brewers are hoping that several weeks of rest is exactly what the 29-year-old needs in order to be at full strength to help Milwaukee get out of the cellar of the National League Central division.
Even though there is no timetable on Braun’s exact return, the Brewers are confident that the fact he is taking batting practice is a huge step in the right direction.
“He’s going to get after it here the next few days and see where we are,” manager Ron Roenicke said, according to Brewers.com. “He’s kind of champing at the bit, so he’s feeling that good. We’ll see how close he is to being ready.”
Milwaukee is excited that Braun’s return could be sooner than anticipated. With that being said, it will most likely be a similar situation that third baseman Aramis Ramirez was in earlier this year. Braun will play when he is activated but how much is unknown.
“We’ll get him in a ballgame and then we’ll have to see how much I play him, whether he plays and then has a day off or whatever,” Roenicke told Brewers.com. “We’ll get together with the training staff and determine that.”
Braun is batting .304 with nine home runs, 36 RBI, 13 doubles, two triples and four stolen bases in 214 at-bats this season.
