Brewers Slugger Ryan Braun Says Injured Thumb Is ‘100 Percent’

Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun announced that his right thumb is finally healed after he battled numbness in it for the past two seasons.

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The Milwaukee Brewers do have something to be thankful for: the health of Ryan Braun’s right thumb.

After dealing with numbness in it for two seasons, Braun announced that it is finally 100 percent. The outfielder had surgery on it on October 2, and while he feels good about the progress of his thumb, he remains a bit cautious about preparing for spring training.

"“Right now, I don’t feel any [discomfort], and I haven’t been able to say that for two years…. Now, I don’t feel it at all, so I’m excited. I’m encouraged by how it feels, but at the same time, I think I have to be cautiously optimistic [until] I get into Spring Training and see how it responds. But it hasn’t felt this good in a really long time.”"

The 31-year-old Braun batted .266 with 19 homers and 81 RBI in 135 games last season, his lowest production in both categories while playing more than 100 games in a year. His thumb injury was a key reason why Braun batted just .226 with 8 homers and 29 RBI after the All-Star Break, as the Brewers — who were in first place in the National League Central at the time — faded away in the second half as Braun and the offense cratered.

Ryan Braun, the 2011 National League Most Valuable Player, was at his lowest in September, managing just one home run during the month.

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