MLB notes: Ryan Braun placed on 15-day DL
Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained oblique in his right side, the latest setback for a banged-up team that’s recently struggled to score.
Braun had missed the last six games with the injury. Since the outfielder hadn’t played, the move was made retroactive to April 27 and he will be eligible to return on May 12.
Braun also had been sidelined a few games this season by a sore right thumb. Overall, the former N.L. MVP is batting .318 with six homers and 18 RBIs.
Milwaukee activated outfielder Logan Schafer off the disabled list before a game against the Cincinnati Reds. He’d been sidelined by a strained right hamstring.
The Brewers had the best record in the majors when they made the moves. They were hopeful that Braun could be back in less than two weeks, but finally decided it was better not to rush him.
“I think for a lot of reasons it makes the most sense – for me, for the team, just looking out from a long-term perspective,” Braun said. “It made more sense to try to let it get healthy instead of trying to force it and rush back.”
With Braun sidelined, the Brewers have been short-handed in the outfield. First baseman Mark Reynolds made his first career start in right field on Thursday night. Schafer batted .214 with two RBIs before he got hurt.
Freese placed on DL
Third baseman David Freese has been put on the 15-day disabled list by the Los Angeles Angels because of a broken right middle finger.
The move was made a day after Freese was hit by a pitch from Texas pitcher Colby Lewis on Friday.
Acquired in a November trade with St. Louis, Freese is batting .202 with two homers and eight RBIs.
Indians make moves
The Cleveland Indians have placed catcher Yan Gomes on the paternity leave list and designated infielder Elliot Johnson for assignment.
Gomes is batting .261 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 26 games. His wife, Jenna, gave birth to a daughter, Brooklyn Mae, the couple’s first child. The maximum stay on the paternity list is three days.
Johnson committed two errors at second base Friday in replacing Jason Kipnis, who is on the 15-day disabled list.
Johnson, signed as a minor league free agent in January, was batting .105 in seven games.