Ryan Braun missed his third consecutive game and fifth in September after sitting out last night's contest against the Miami Marlins. His right thumb has been bothering him all season, but the reeling Brewers can't afford to have him out of the lineup down the final stretch.
Milwaukee was atop the MLB for a while and leading the NL Central division for 150 days until relinquishing their position to the St. Louis Cardinals on September 1. Since then, Milwaukee has dropped eight of their last 11 to fall four games behind the Cardinals and 1 ½ games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates for the final NL wild card spot. And it might get worse.
Ryan Braun is dealing with nerve issue in his right thumb for some time now and it has hindered his ability to play or to be effective when he actually is in the lineup. The five-time All-Star has yet to record an extra-base hit this month and the Brewers playoff hopes are beginning to hurt. It was reported that his thumb injury may have expanded into his hand, and if that's the case, it explains his growing troubles gripping a bat. If the injury continues to worsen, Braun may require surgery and miss the rest of the season, but he insists it's not becoming a paramount issue.
"I don't want to get into any of it anymore," he said of his thumb issue, in this Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article. "I think I've talked about it more than enough. There's nothing wrong with my hand, though, I will say that. Never has been anything wrong with my hand. There was a little thing in the wrist that we were dealing with, but it's more the thumb is the issue."
Also in the NL Central, the last-place Chicago Cubs have a number of injuries as well. First baseman Anthony Rizzo (back) and shortstop Starlin Castro (ankle) have missed some time, but both hope to return before the season ends. Rizzo took some grounders and light swings on Monday and reported feeling better, while Castro said the swelling and discomfort in his lower left leg due to a high ankle sprain has subsided with treatment and exercises. It's not clear when these two can return, but they hope to get some more action before the season ends.
However, the Cubs might be inclined to keep these two out. They're both the cornerstones of the franchise moving forward (although there is speculation that Castro could be traded) and their absences give the team the ability to work in some of the younger talents they called up from Triple-A earlier this year. Javier Baez is getting more experience at shortstop; Arismendy Alcantara is seeing more time at second base; and first baseman Mike Olt is receiving more reps than ever before. The Cubs are completely out of contention, so it wouldn't be the worst idea to shut down Rizzo and Castro to get the youngsters more major league playing time.
Check out ESPN's MLB Rumors page for the latest news.
