Braun still sore

Ryan Braun missed the last two games of the Diamondbacks series with what the team called "tightness" in his ribcage area. Braun said that the discomfort is related to the intercostal injury that hindered him late last season, and again in the Spring during the World Baseball Classic.

"I'm either able to play or unable to play, and I'm unable to play," Braun said before Sunday's game. "I really don't get overly concerned about it because it does me no good to focus on negativity. Obviously, I don't want to be hurt, obviously I want to be in there every day. I'll come in and get my treatment done and hopefully it gets better."

On Sunday, the Brewers gave fans a bobblehead commemorating Braun's game-winning home run against the Cubs last season that clinched a post-season berth.

"Trust me," Braun said. "I want to be out there."

Braun appeared as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning of Monday's game at Pittsburgh and delievered a two-run double to tie the game at 3-3.

Braun had an MRI on Monday which revealed no structural damage. Braun stayed in the field after his at-bat so the signs are there for him returning to the starting lineup on Tuesday.

(onmilwaukee.com)