Braun says he's fine but day to day with lower back tightness

MILWAUKEE -- Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun was not in the starting lineup Tuesday night against the Houston Astros because of tightness in his lower back.

Braun missed six games last week with the same injury, returning to the lineup as a starter Sunday in Los Angeles -- he pinch hit Saturday.

On Monday, he appeared to be in pain after swinging and missing in his final at-bat in the sixth. He walked gingerly back to the dugout after the strikeout and was replaced in the field by Gabe Kapler.

Braun, batting .300 with a team-best 31 home runs and 86 RBIs, said he was fine and called it a nagging injury before Tuesday's game. He is day to day.

Milwaukee second baseman Rickie Weeks was also held out of the lineup with a sprained left thumb. He did not play on Monday, either.

(espn.com)