Braun expected back Thursday

After missing three starts with a strained left wrist, Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun is expected back in the lineup Thursday, when the Brewers try to avoid a four-game D-backs sweep at Miller Park.

Braun was back in the batting practice rotation on Wednesday afternoon, a good sign he was making progress from an injury suffered Sunday against the Astros.  An even better indication of his improving health came in the eighth inning, when Braun was sent up to pinch-hit with the bases loaded, though he struck out

“He’s going to play [Thursday],” Macha said. “After he took batting practice, he came up to me and said, ‘I’ll be ready to go tomorrow.’”

Braun was hurt on Sunday when he legged out an infield hit and his left arm clipped Astros rookie first baseman Brett Wallace. He sat out Monday, pinch-ran Tuesday and then made his seventh career pinch-hit appearance on Wednesday. 

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