MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun is out of Monday's series opener against Houston due to blisters on his hand, according to Brewers manager Ron Roenicke.
Braun had been fighting the blisters for a few days to no avail. So on Monday, Roenicke chose to give the Brewers star a day off to heal. The Milwaukee manager said he hoped the injury wouldn't keep Braun out of the lineup for more than a day.
"He tore them up pretty good about a week ago," Roenicke said. "They've been trying to get it back together and healed up."
Braun has been forced to miss a few games this season with a nagging injury -- most recently it was his groin that had been irritating him -- and had struggled in his last few games, which likely had something to do with the blisters he was dealing with. In his last four games, Braun was 2-for-17 with six strikeouts and just one RBI. Nyjer Morgan will replace Braun in left field for Monday's game.
The Brewers did get third baseman Aramis Ramirez back in the lineup on Monday after Ramirez spent a scheduled day off on Sunday letting his sore wrist heal. But despite the return, Ramirez is still dealing with pain in his wrist, Roenicke said.
"We've got (Ramirez) back in there today," Roenicke said. "I know he's not completely healed up in one day, but he felt like he needed that day yesterday."
Ramirez has been one of the team's hottest hitters in the last two months and is now batting .286 — the third-highest average on the team, behind Braun and catcher Jonathan Lucroy. He also trails Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto by just one for the league lead in doubles with 35.
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