Brewers News: Crew Gets a Big Bat Back as Braun is Activated From IL

The Brewers need offense and they need it now. So it’s perfect timing that one of their best hitters of the past decade returns today.

A Milwaukee Brewers offense that has had problems scoring runs at times this year did so again in Monday’s series opener against the Twins. Though they scraped together eight hits against Minnesota, that only yielded two runs, which resulted in a 4-2 loss.

The Brewers just haven’t been able to string together consecutive games of high-octane offense so far in 2020 as some of their hitters struggle to get going. Luckily, one of the team’s top hitters finally will be returning as the team announced the activation of Ryan Braun off of the injured list.

Milwaukee is wasting no time getting Braun’s potent bat back in the lineup either as they also announced shortly after that he would be hitting fifth out of the designated hitter’s spot for Tuesday’s game. And his arrival comes not a moment too soon.

Where did we leave off with Braun?

This will now be the second time this season that Braun gets to ramp up after losing some time to injury. The slugger missed most of Summer Camp with nagging injuries, though he did still manage to make the team’s Opening Day roster.

Braun took some time to get going to start the year, going 0 for his first 7 to begin 2020. But he was just starting to find his stride after that as he went 3 for his next 6, including a game-tying, two-run double that led to an extra inning win over the Pirates at the end of July.

It’s possible that Braun could take a while to heat up again after yet another layoff. But Brewers fans all know what he is capable of with that career .298/.360/.533 slash line. Any few games that it takes for Braun to get back into rhythm will be worth it to get his dangerous bat back in the lineup.

Surprising Mathias heads back to Brewers training site

The activation of Braun meant the unfortunate demotion of Mark Mathias back to the alternate training site in Appleton. Mathias, who was called up along with Ryon Healy the day after Braun went on the IL, impressed during his short time with the Brewers.

Mathias made his major league debut as a pinch runner on August 4th against the White Sox, then collected his first major league hit in his first career at bat the very next day. In six games, he went 5 for 16 (.313) with two runs scored, two runs driven in, and a stolen base to go along with four strikeouts.

Despite some solid play while with up with Milwaukee, Mathias’s minor league options made him the obvious choice to head down upon Braun’s return. With the ability to play multiple defensive positions in both the infield and outfield, he would likely be back quickly should another position player end up on the injured list.

Braun’s face will be a welcome site in the batter’s box during tonight’s game against the Twins. Hopefully he can help inspire a few offensive bursts for the team as the season continues.