Braun knew there was "no chance" he'd play
Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun says he knew Monday night, minutes after a Tommy Hanson fastball struck his left elbow, that he wouldn’t be taking any swings on Tuesday.
“I can’t do anything,” he said. “I have no mobility.”
Braun indeed was out of the Brewers lineup as the series continued at Miller Park, leaving the Brewers to use three starting outfielders — Jody Gerut in left, Jim Edmonds in center and Corey Hart in right — who have three fewer RBIs between them (25) than Braun’s 28.
Braun wouldn’t rule out playing Wednesday’s series finale, but with an off-day on Thursday manager Ken Macha might be tempted to give his star left fielder an extended rest. Braun did not need x-rays, and felt lucky that Hanson’s pitch struck above his elbow and not directly on it. For the record, he didn’t think Hanson’s wayward offering — one of the right-handers few misses in eight scoreless innings — carried any ill intent.
Braun’s elbow was badly swollen on Tuesday afternoon, when Braun received a battery of treatments.
“I feel fortunate that it’s a few days instead of a month or two,” Braun said of his absence.
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Adam McCalvy
