Braun returns, Ramirez out against Cubs
MILWAUKEE — Two of the Milwaukee Brewers' biggest hitters were on the mend going into Monday's day off. One will return for Tuesday's series opener against the Chicago Cubs, while the other's injury will keep him out for at least one more game.
Left fielder Ryan Braun will return to the lineup Tuesday, having healed enough during the off day to convince Brewers manager Ron Roenicke he can play against the Cubs. The same can't be said of third baseman Aramis Ramirez; he'll miss his second straight game with a lower quad injury.
"Aramis isn't quite ready to go," Roenicke said. "We'll go day-to-day on him. . . . He wanted to play today. I don't think myself or (trainer) Dan Wright were comfortable with him going out there yet."
When asked whether Ramirez's injury would warrant a trip to the disabled list, Roenicke said that likely won't be necessary.
"I would think with him being that close to ready, he should be fine," Roenicke said.
There's been some ongoing concern that Braun's nagging Achilles injury would force him out of the lineup in the future, but Braun has insisted upon playing while hurt on several occasions.
And Roenicke said on Tuesday that Braun's health is paramount to the Brewers' success from here on out.
"If we're going to do this thing right and get through the course of the season, he's got to be as close as we can get him to 100 percent," Roenicke said. "If we're not getting close to that part, then we may have to go in another direction."
Braun has missed four games this season, while Tuesday's game will mark the sixth game Ramirez has been out of the lineup in 2012.
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