Braun out of lineup

Leftfielder Ryan Braun, who felt more discomfort Monday night in his intercostal area and had to leave the game, is not in the lineup tonight against Houston.

Braun missed six games last week with the problem but I just talked to him and he said he didn't think he'd have to miss any lengthy period this time.

"I think I could play today," said Braun, who came out of the game Monday night after striking out in the sixth inning and showing obvious discomfort.

"It's just one of those nagging injuries that's probably not going to go away completely while I'm playing. I'll have to deal with it. I hope it goes away completely. But, realistically, the way this game is, it probably won't."

I asked Braun how much he aggravated the condition last night but he played that down.

"(Manager Ned Yost) just took me out as a precaution," said Braun. "We were up, 7-2.

"I can definitely play with it. It's not 100% but I can deal with it. I think it'll eventually get better. I hope it does."

Gabe Kapler, who has made many contributions to the team, is back in left field in place of Braun. Ray Durham is starting at second in place of Rickie Weeks, but he probably would anyway with a right-hander pitching, whether Weeks had a sprained thumb or not.

(blogs.jsonline.com)