Ryan Braun misses third straight game

MILWAUKEE -- Ryan Braun is getting close to taking the field but his strained left calf still isn't at 100 percent.

Braun was out on the field during Tuesday's pregame activities, but manager Ron Roenicke said he's still concerned about the slugger re-injuring himself when he runs out of the box, and did not put Braun in the starting lineup. Not wanting Braun to try and leg out a hit in a pinch-hitting situation is something Roenicke has thought long and hard about.

"Whether it's tomorrow or it's the next day, I don't know," the manager said of Braun's availability.

Whenever the All-Star left fielder takes the field, he will have a chance to extend his career-high 22-game hit streak. Braun said on Monday he didn't want to speculate when he'd be available, and said the staff is monitoring his progression on a day-by-day basis.

Utility man Josh Wilson took Braun's spot in left field on Tuesday, while Corey Hart continued batting in the third spot.


(mlb.com)