View Full Version : Branyan breaks finger
San Diego - Just when he seemed to be getting over the shoulder problem that limited his availability during May, Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Russell Branyan is facing a new injury.
Branyan fractured the middle finger of his right hand while bunting in the top of the seventh inning of a 5-2 victory over San Diego Wednesday night at Petco Park.
"We X-rayed it. It's fractured," manager Ned Yost said, joking that Branyan suffered the injury "when he bunted for a hit." Branyan actually was retired on the play, then stayed in the game for the bottom of the seventh before being replaced by Jeff Cirillo.
Yost said Branyan would be evaluated today in Los Angeles. Although it's almost certain that Branyan will be placed on the disabled list, Yost did not offer any hints as to what the Brewers might do to replace him on the active roster.
"I have no idea," Yost said. "We're going to talk about."
<b><font size=4>Branyan breaks finger on bunt attempt</font>
Fracture identified on preliminary X-ray; more tests to follow</b>
SAN DIEGO -- The Brewers got away with a win, but it came at a cost.
Third baseman Russell Branyan fractured his right middle finger on a seventh-inning bunt attempt in the Brewers' 5-2 win over the Padres on Wednesday night. He is scheduled to see a hand specialist in Los Angeles on Thursday, when the Brewers expect to decide whether to place the slugger on the 15-day disabled list.
Manager Ned Yost said a timetable for Branyan's return won't be known until Thursday. Branyan himself was hopeful.
"Two weeks maybe?" Branyan guessed. "We'll see what kind of news we get tomorrow. I think if the pain can subside and the swelling can go down ... I'm speculating. I'm being optimistic. If the pain can subside I can play through it. It's just a matter of the severity of the fracture. It didn't look too good to me."
The incident went unnoticed to the 27,692 fans at PETCO Park, who saw Branyan square to bunt on left-hander Dennys Reyes' first pitch in the seventh inning, with Damian Miller on first base. Branyan fouled off the bunt, then grounded out on the next pitch.
"I was just trying to help the team out, so I squared around for a bunt," Branyan said. "We could have had first and second, no outs, and get some insurance runs, you know? The ball ran in on me pretty hard and I caught it right off the hand."
He knew it was serious "as soon as it hit me. The hand swelled up." But he played another half-inning of defense before Jeff Cirillo took over in the eighth.
The setback was especially frustrating because Branyan had just returned from a sore shoulder that had limited his playing time for two weeks. He is batting .247 this season with six home runs, including a tape-measure shot on Tuesday in San Diego.
An internist noted the fracture after Branyan underwent X-rays in the Padres clubhouse. Branyan hopes for more information in Los Angeles, where the Brewers begin a four-game series against the Dodgers on Thursday night.
General manager Doug Melvin is on the trip, and he will likely meet with Yost to determine any potential roster moves.
"We'll see what the doctor says tomorrow," Yost said before boarding the bus for Los Angeles. "There's nothing we can do about it tonight."
<a href=http://www.addictsports.com/baseball/showthread.php?p=391238#post391238 target=_blank>Branyan goes to DL; prospect takes spot on roster</a>
<b><font size=4>Brewers place 3B Branyan on disabled list</font></b>
LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - After avoiding a trip to the disabled list last week, Russell Branyan was not as lucky this time.
The Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday placed third baseman Branyan on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured middle finger on his left hand.
Branyan, who battled a sore right shoulder last week, suffered the injury attempting to bunt in the seventh inning of Wednesday's 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres.
In his eighth major league season, the 29-year-old Branyan is hitting .247 with six home runs and 17 RBI in 37 games this year.
To replace Branyan on the roster, Milwaukee recalled outfielder Dave Krynzel from Class AAA Nashville of the Pacific Coast League. Krynzel batte .273 with six homers and 33 RBI in 49 games for the Sounds.
<a href=http://www.addictsports.com/baseball/showthread.php?p=391256#post391256 target=_blank>Branyan on DL, Krynzel recalled from minors</a>
<b><font size=4>Branyan lands on DL</font>
Krynzel recalled to add speed, depth in outfield</b>
Los Angeles - Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Russell Branyan was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday and probably will be sidelined three to four weeks with a fractured left middle finger.
Branyan suffered the injury while trying to bunt for a base hit during a game Wednesday night in San Diego.
The Brewers recalled outfielder David Krynzel from Class AAA Nashville to fill Branyan's roster spot. Krynzel was batting .273 for Nashville.
"It's what we need, a little speed off the bench," manager Ned Yost said. "There are times you've got to debate when to use (Chris) Magruder to pinch-hit, because he was our only outfielder.
"Now, we've got a little protection there. We can use Krynzel or Magruder early. We've got enough infielders."
Krynzel arrived at Dodger Stadium shortly before game time Thursday night. The Brewers' No. 1 draft pick (11th overall) in 2000, Krynzel almost made the 25-man roster out of spring training. Yost and the coaching staff were impressed with his performance (.327, one homer, nine RBI) but thought that Krynzel would be better served to play every day in the minors than to be a reserve in the majors.
In 49 games with Nashville, Krynzel was 54 for 198 at the plate with 14 doubles, three triples, six homers and 33 RBI. He walked 23 times, struck out 45 times and had a .360 on-base percentage with five steals in eight attempts.
Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said the fact that Krynzel was already on the club's 40-man roster was a consideration in the decision to promote him.
"We talked about Trent Durrington," Melvin said, referring to the Australian utility man who spent time with the Brewers last season. "But we would have had to have made a roster move. They recommended Kevin Orie, too. We talked about Brad Nelson and Corey Hart.
"Having Krynzel allows us to keep Magruder to pinch-hit later in the game. He's done a nice job with that. I don't worry so much about pinch hitters late in the game. I worry about pinch hitters in the fifth inning, if you have to hit for your pitcher with the bases loaded and two outs."
After missing much of last season with a broken foot at Class AAA Indianapolis, Krynzel was called up to the big leagues when the roster expanded on Sept. 1. He played in 16 games for the Brewers, hitting .220 (6 for 41) with a double, three RBI, three walks and 15 strikeouts.
In a game Sept. 4 against Cincinnati, he collected his first hit - an infield single off Josh Hancock - and struck out four times.
The Brewers initially reported that Branyan's injury was to his right hand, but it was his left. It was strange that it happened on a bunt attempt. Branyan, known for his power, collected the first sacrifice of his professional career earlier this season.
"I was just trying to help the team out so I squared around for a bunt," said Branyan, who saw a hand specialist Thursday and wore a black splint on his hand. "We could have had first and second, no outs, and get some insurance runs, you know? The ball ran in on me pretty hard and I caught it right off the hand.
"As soon as it hit me, the hand swelled up."
Yost said Branyan could start doing range-of-motion exercises in a week to 10 days.
"They'll keep it splinted now so he can ice it," Yost said. "It's really swollen right now."
<b><font size=4>Branyan update</font></b>
Third baseman Russell Branyan, out since June 1 with a broken right middle finger, has started swinging a bat but still hasn't tried catching balls. Yost wouldn't estimate how soon Branyan would be able to have a minor-league rehabilitation assignment.
"He's hit off tees and soft-toss in the (indoor) cage, but not live pitching," Yost said. "He's getting better each day, but it's still sore and not completely healed. It's not a situation where in the next day or two he'll be ready for rehab."
Branyan, who has an elastic bandage on the finger, said he had been able to grip a bat for "about four days." But he added that catching would be "the toughest thing."
While Branyan stays on the disabled list, it appears that rookie first baseman Prince Fielder will stay with the Brewers, even if he doesn't get a lot of at-bats as a backup to Lyle Overbay. Yost said Fielder was still gaining valuable big-league knowledge.
"He's learning a lot of stuff; it's good to see what this is all about up here," Yost said. "It'll give him more of a sense of urgency, when he's sent down to get back."
<b><font size=4>Branyan back in action</font>
Third baseman will rehab broken finger in Nashville</b>
Third baseman Russell Branyan, on the disabled list since June 2 with a broken middle finger on his left hand, will begin a minor-league rehabilitation assignment today with Class AAA Nashville.
Branyan, who still has some discomfort catching balls, is expected to see action only as a designated hitter for a couple of games. Then, he'll play a couple of games in the outfield before moving back to third base.
"We still don't want him catching any hard-hit balls (because of the finger)," manager Ned Yost said. "We'll work him back in slow and see how he progresses."
Yost said he would expect Branyan back at the earliest next weekend for a home series against Pittsburgh. He might not return until a trip to Florida and Atlanta the next week, however.
The countdown to Branyan's return means rookie first baseman Prince Fielder's days with the club are numbered. Yost said Fielder "probably" would be returned to Nashville when Branyan rejoins the club, substituting one left-handed power bat for another.
Keeping Fielder around as a pinch hitter, which some thought might hurt his development, paid off Saturday night when he socked a three-run homer off the bench to propel the Brewers to a thrilling 7-6 victory over Minnesota. Fellow rookie Rickie Weeks, a close friend of Fielder's, also hit his first big-league homer in that game, making it a memorable night in franchise history.
"It was unbelievable," Yost said.
"Those are the kinds of games you remember at the end of the year. Usually, they all bleed into the next. It was a thrilling, fun game, to see how excited those two kids were. That's storybook stuff."
<b><font size=4>Getting close</font></b>
Third baseman Russell Branyan, on the disabled list with a fractured right middle finger, took live batting practice and is "a few days away" from going on a Minor League rehabilitation assignment, according to Yost.
"We're starting to look at schedules and plans to send him out," Yost said.
<b><font size=4>Branyan begins rehab in Minors</font>
Third baseman to DH for Triple-A Nashville this week</b>
MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers won't travel to Chicago for the start of their three-game series against the Cubs until Tuesday morning. Third baseman Russell Branyan won't go at all.
Instead, Branyan will begin a Minor League rehabilitation assignment on Monday for Triple-A Nashville. The team is scheduled to play at Oklahoma, an affiliate of the Texas Rangers, so Branyan will be able to serve as the team's designated hitter on Monday and Tuesday. He could return to defensive duties as early as Friday, when the Sounds return home to face Memphis.
Branyan, who bats left-handed and throws right-handed, has been on the disabled list for most of this month with a fractured left middle finger.
"He's going to go and DH a couple days and then maybe play in the outfield a couple days to kind of get his legs going a little bit," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "We still don't want him catching hard shots."
Branyan has not played a game in the outfield since the Brewers picked him up from Cleveland's Triple-A club last July. He was hitting .247 with six home runs and 17 RBIs in 37 games this season before he fractured the middle finger of his left hand on a bunt attempt at San Diego on June 1.
Depending on his progression, Branyan could return to the Brewers by July 4, when the team begins a week-long trip to Florida and Atlanta leading up to the All-Star break.
His rehab with the Brewers went into overdrive this weekend. Branyan has been playing catch and hitting off a tee for some time, but on Saturday he took live batting practice for the first time and team officials began scanning affiliate schedules for a possible Minor League assignment.
Another third baseman, Jeff Cirillo, went on the DL Saturday with a fractured bone in his left hand and will miss a month or two. Wes Helms started at third on Sunday, but Yost said Bill Hall will get most of the starts there until Branyan returns.
<b><font size=4>Branyan gets a week with Sounds</font></b>
After being on the receiving end of a rehab assignment during their last homestand, the Nashville Sounds will have a major leaguer on their roster this week.
Milwaukee third baseman/outfielder Russell Branyan, who purchased a house in Williamson County during the past offseason, joined the Sounds yesterday in Oklahoma and is expected to remain with the team through the series with visiting Memphis that begins Thursday night.
Branyan broke his left middle finger on a bunt attempt on June 1 and immediately went onto the disabled list for the Brewers. He is expected to handle designated hitter duties through the remainder of the Oklahoma series, then get some work in the outfield once the Sounds return to Greer Stadium.
A third baseman since being acquired from the Cleveland organization last July, Branyan's outfield play is just to get him acclimated to being back on the field while protecting his injury from any hard shots he could possibly encounter at third.
In 37 games prior to his injury, Branyan was hitting .247 with six home runs and 17 RBIs. He is projected to return to the Brewers by July 4.
<a href=http://www.addictsports.com/baseball/showthread.php?p=397295#post397295 target=_blank>Sounds welcome new players</a>
<b><font size=4>Branyan watch</font></b>
Third baseman Russell Branyan, out since June 2 with a broken left middle finger, has moved from being a designated hitter to playing the outfield in his rehabilitation stint at Class AAA Nashville. The chief concern is his ability to catch hard throws and line drives, so he's working his way back to the infield.
"He feels OK," Yost said. "The finger is stiff before the trainers work on it, then it feels better and he's able to play."
<b><font size=4>Good start</font></b>
Injured infielder Russell Branyan went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk in the first game of a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Nashville. He was to make his second straight start as the designated hitter at Oklahoma (Rangers) on Tuesday night, and following an off-day Wednesday is expected to play a few games in the outfield when Nashville returns home for the weekend.
"We don't really want him playing third right yet," Yost said.
Branyan fractured the middle finger on his glove hand on June 1 at San Diego on a bunt attempt.
<b><font size=4>Minor shuffling</font></b>
In the second game of a Minor League rehabilitation assignment, Brewers third baseman Russell Branyan went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts as Triple-A Nashville's designated hitter.
Following an off-day, Nashville returns home Thursday and returns to National League rules. The Brewers want Branyan to play the outfield to limit the chances of a line drive re-injuring his fractured left middle finger.
<b><font size=4>Getting close</font></b>
In the fifth game of his rehabilitation assignment at Nashville, Branyan went 1-for-4 with a long home run and, for the first time, played three innings of defense at third base. He was 5-for-15 during the assignment going into Sunday's game.
"Branyan will play tonight and then we'll see where we're at," Ash said. "Hopefully, there are no setbacks."
Branyan fractured the middle finger of his left hand on a bunt attempt at San Diego on June 1. He served as a designated hitter and outfielder in his first four games at Nashville because the Brewers worried about him fielding a line drive at third base. He could rejoin the Brewers on Monday at Florida.
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