Ryan Braun makes surprise appearance in Milwaukee on Wednesday

Suspended slugger Ryan Braun visited the Milwaukee Brewers for the first time since telling his teammates in July that he accepted a 65-game ban as a result of baseball's investigation into a Florida clinic accused of distributing performance-enhancing drugs.

''It was really nice to see him,'' Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Wednesday. ''He told me a while ago when we talked that he wanted to come in. He didn't want it to be a distraction. I told him it wouldn't be. So, he came in and I'm really glad he did.''

Roenicke said Braun just stopped by to say hello, there was no formal meeting.

''It's important for the team to move on with things and for him, also.'' Roenicke said. ''I know it's been difficult sitting at home and not to be part of this. But he really did not want this to be a distraction to us. So I think it was really good. I think it was great. No way was this a distraction.''

Braun did not talk to the media while he was at Miller Park.

Braun tested positive for elevated testosterone in October of his 2011 NL MVP season, but his 50-game suspension was overturned when an arbitrator ruled that the urine sample was mishandled.

He then agreed to the longer penalty July 22, becoming the first star to be suspended by Major League Baseball in the doping scandal involving the now-closed Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic.

Earlier Wednesday, the five-time All-Star visited the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin. Photos of his appearance were posted on the group's Facebook page, tipping off media that Braun was in Milwaukee.


(foxsports.com)