The Milwaukee Brewers are going through a tough year and things have only gotten tougher since reports came out about a possible suspension for outfielder Ryan Braun and after suffering a thumb injury, manager Ron Roencike isn't taking any chances.
According to MLB.com, Braun was taken out of Sunday's game against the Phillies after hurting his thumb and the manager is worried that it could become a lingering issue down the lie this season and that is why he was pulled from the game. Roenicke said he has a plan for Braun in the upcoming series and he is hoping to avoid placing him on the DL if he can get past it. Bruan wasn't too hot in the game anyway after striking out and he was replaced in the game by Logan Schafer.
Braun has been dogged by the thumb injury for a while and hanging over his head are reports that he could be suspended up to 100 games for his link to Anthony Boesch and the Biogenesis clinic. Since hitting his last home run on May 22 against the Dodgers, Braun has been awful, hitting three doubles with a .254 average and the manager hopes some rest can help the injury.
Braun is still putting up solid numbers, but the thumb has kept him from being his usual self, as he is hitting .304 with an OPS just under.900 and an OBP of .380. The Brewers won on Sunday 9-1 and Braun has nine home runs this season, but hasn't shown the pop lately that Roenicke is used to. The team needs him to heat up as they are behind the woeful Cubs in the division and ranks 19th in runs and 18th in on base percentage.