Ryan Braun could return from injury this week

If all goes well, the Milwaukee Brewers hope to get Ryan Braun back on the field for their weekend series in Arizona before the all-star break, with a slight chance of playing beforehand.

Braun has been on the 15-day disabled list with a right thumb/hand injury since June 10 but took batting practice on the field Saturday for the first time since being sidelined and tolerated swinging the bat.

"He is getting pretty close," said manager Ron Roenicke. "He'll be out on the field again (Monday) and the next day. He's got to get his legs under him, too. I know he's in shape and he's doing all these things but just being out on the field, similar to spring training, for three or four hours, your body has to adjust to it. You're going to go through a sore stage.

"If we can get him back maybe before the all-star break and let him play in some games, and then use the break to allow him to recoup, that would be ideal. Hopefully, those things will work out."

Roenicke said he hadn't heard of any ill effects from Braun's on-field batting practice Saturday, which was a good sign. At this point, the goal is to get him on the field for the Arizona series but probably not all four games and not all nine innings.

"I think that's probably a good thing to shoot for," said Roenicke. "I know he probably wants to go before that, but we'll see how it goes tomorrow and the next day. With a day game Wednesday (against the Reds), it kind of makes sense to let him roll over to Arizona."


(jsonline.com)