Brewers' Ryan Braun: Remains out Friday

Braun (back) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Analysis:

Make it three straight absences for Braun, who continues to nurse a bout of back stiffness. This is a less-than-ideal situation for the Brewers, because with Braun still out and Domingo Santana (shoulder) hitting the DL, the team will have to start a pair of lefty-hitting outfielders in Alex Presley and Kirk Nieuwenhuis against southpaw Steven Matz. Braun's availability for the rest of the weekend is up in the air.