The Milwaukee Brewers have placed left fielder Ryan Braun on the 15-day disabled list with a right thumb contusion.
Outfielder Caleb Gindl will be recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday to fill Braun's roster spot.
Braun has been dealing with a thumb injury for over a month, and his first-ever trip to the disabled list finally was deemed necessary. After taking batting practice Friday to see if he could play, Braun told reporters the thumb didn't feel any better.
The injury is to a nerve between the thumb and index finger on Braun's right hand. The pain and soreness in the thumb area has caused the former National League MVP to change his swing, losing power and turning him into a singles hitter.
Braun is hitting .304 with nine home runs and 36 RBI, but he hasn't homered in 65 plate appearances and hasn't been the same hitter the Brewers are accustomed to seeing since the injury popped up.
The Brewers tried padding Braun's batting glove and bat, but neither helped alleviate the pain felt on each swing.
He was removed for a pinch-hitter in the third inning of Sunday's game against Philadelphia and has sat out Milwaukee's last four games. Because Braun hasn't appeared in a game since last Sunday, his stint on the disabled list is backdated to Monday. He will be eligible to return June 24, an off-day for the Brewers.
Gindl, 24, is hitting .274 with eight home runs and 38 RBI in Triple-A. His first appearance for the Brewers will mark his big league debut.
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