Braun undergoes MRI; Hall playing LF

Ryan Braun and his ailing back didn’t travel with the team to Pittsburgh last night. last night. Instead, he underwent an MRI scan today in Milwaukee that did not reveal any structural damage, according to a Brewers spokesperson.

Braun was traveling to Pittsburgh as we got that news and it appears he won’t be here in time for the game. Bill Hall, surprisingly, will play in Braun’s place, with Casey McGehee filling in at third. That’s a bit of a shocker if you ask me, considering how well Hall has played defensively so far this season and the fact that McGehee can play the outfield.

Hall said he hasn’t played left field since touring Japan with a U.S. all-star team in 2006, and he has never played that position in a Major League game. He manned center field for the Brewers in 2007.

Here’s the lineup that did not get posted in the clubhouse until about 15 minutes ago, with Rickie Weeks batting third for the second straight game:

Corey Hart  RF
J.J. Hardy  SS
Rickie Weeks  2B
Prince Fielder  1B
Mike Cameron  CF
Bill Hall  LF
Casey McGehee  3B
Jason Kendall  C
Yovani Gallardo  RHP

The Brewers say Braun is day-to-day.