Brewers' Braun felt 'pretty good' swinging bat for first time since thumb surgery

Ryan Braun's rehab from thumb surgery is off to an encouraging start. 

The Milwaukee Brewers outfielder, who underwent the procedure on his nerve-damaged right thumb on Oct. 2, swung a bat for first time Sunday and didn't experience any pain. 

Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Braun's thumb felt "pretty good" while swinging, and that the five-time All-Star is expected to take more swings later this week. 

Braun struggled with the injury since early August, and it caused a noticeable decline in his production at the plate. In the last two months of the season, the 30-year-old hit .227/.299/.357 with five home runs and 30 RBI in 49 games.