Notes: With the damaged nerve in his thumb flaring up, Ryan Braun goes for more cryotherapy

PITTSBURGH – Ryan Braun left the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday to return to Los Angeles for a cryotherapy injection in his right thumb, a procedure he has undergone four times since the original treatment after the 2014 season.

Manager Craig Counsell said Braun is expected to rejoin the club Thursday in Milwaukee, where it will be determined when he can return to the lineup.

“It started bugging him the last couple of days so he flew out this morning (to Los Angeles),” Counsell said. “I think this is the fifth time he has had it (including the original procedure).”

As for when Braun might return to action, Counsell said, “It kind of depends on the severity of (the thumb issue). He might be available tomorrow.”

Counsell said he believed Braun’s previous injection was at the all-star break last year.

“It’s something that he expects from time to time. When it starts (bothering him), we try to get in front of it and knock it out right away.”

Braun’s thumb began bothering him during the suspension-shortened 2013 season and continued in 2014, when his production dropped from previous years. After that season, he underwent the original cryotherapy procedure by specialist Vernon Williams, who introduces subzero temperatures into a damaged nerve at the base of the thumb with a needle.

Braun was told at the time there was no permanent cure for the nerve damage and that  when it flares up he would need repeat procedures, which has been the case.

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Braun, 34, has had issues this season with calf tightness and mid-back tightness, which landed him on the 10-day DL. He also has hit in some tough luck this season, with an overall result of diminished production from his career norms.

In 58 games, Braun is batting .236 with eight home runs, 31 runs batted in, .290 on-base percentage and .429 slugging percentage.

Santana has been sitting: Domingo Santana’s mysterious, season-long power drought turned him into a bench player for consecutive series as he didn’t get a start against Philadelphia at home or against the Pirates here. Even with Braun out of action the last two games, Counsell had Eric Thames slated to start in right field to keep him in the lineup with hot-hitting Jesús Aguilar at first base, before the series finale was postponed by rain.

Outfielders Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain, who have been everything the Brewers hoped for as off-season acquisitions, are going to play nearly every night, occupying two outfield spots.

Santana has made 47 starts in right field, by far the most of any player, but his lack of production eventually forced Counsell to go with hotter bats. After hitting 30 home runs with 85 RBI in 151 games last season, Santana is batting .251 this season with only three home runs and 17 RBI in 209 plate appearances.

“I acknowledge we’re in a difficult spot with Domingo,” Counsell said. “We’re talking about the spots with Thames, Aguilar, Yelich and Cain. Right now, there’s just not a spot for Domingo. And you can throw Braun in there, too. That’s where we’re at right now.

“It might change here quick. Otherwise, he’s going to be playing off the bench for a while.”

Santana still has a minor-league option but Counsell indicated there has been no thought of sending him down to get regular playing time and perhaps rediscover his power stroke.

“Right now, it’s better for him to help here,” Counsell said.

Asked if Santana created this predicament for himself by not producing, Counsell said, “I would say the other guys are producing. We have players that are playing really well. That’s what’s making it tough. Those guys are going to play; they’re doing a really good job.”

As for what has happened to Santana, Counsell said, “The power is down. The home runs and driving balls over the outfielders’ heads and in the gaps, that’s the thing that’s been missing a little bit. I think Domingo can still get there. He’s going to have to wait for his chance a little bit.”

Another factor hurting the right-handed-hitting Santana is the Brewers have not been facing many lefties and won’t in the upcoming four-game series against St. Louis.

Miller gets cram course: Veteran utility infielder Brad Miller, recently acquired from Tampa Bay in a trade for first baseman Ji-Man Choi, has been getting a cram course at shortstop at Class AAA Colorado Springs. 

The Brewers want to see if he can be an option at short if Orlando Arcia’s season-long slump continues. Miller played there for the Rays as recently as 2016 but moved to second the next season and was playing mostly first base this year. 

“What probably stands out is he hasn’t played on that side of the field for two years,” Counsell said. “The goal was to just get him to play there. He’s going to take ground balls and play all over the place at some point down there. That’s going to be important as well. Step 1 is getting him places where he hasn’t been for a while.”

Albers makes slow progress: Reliever Matt Albers (shoulder inflammation) is eligible to come off the 10-day DL on Saturday but isn’t close to returning to action. Albers has not begun playing catch yet, the precursor to actual throwing. 

“I definitely feel improvement in my shoulder but I’m not quite symptom-free yet,” Albers said. “Hopefully, it won’t take too long to get back but there’s no way to know yet. I’m not going to put a date on it.”

Asked if he thought Albers might be back before the all-star break, Counsell said, “I hope so but we’ve got to start playing catch before we can think about what the date is going to be.”

Not a great day for pitchers: The Brewers weren’t too concerned that right-hander Zach Davies (rotator cuff inflammation) allowed three hits, a walk and two runs in 1 2/3 innings Tuesday night in his first rehab outing for Colorado Springs. Already a tough venue for pitchers, the wind was howling out at Security Service Field, turning it into a launch pad in Salt Lake’s 17-9 victory.

“The notable thing was the conditions of play were rough,” Counsell said. “It was a very hitter-friendly day in the PCL. The reports were good for how he pitched. It was the perfect first step.  He threw his pitches and felt good coming out of it.”