Brewers GM on Braun's recovery: 'It sounds like everything is great'

Though Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has yet to test out his surgically-repaired thumb on a regular basis, general manager Doug Melvin remains encouraged by the 30 year old's recovery thus far.

"He has taken some batting practice off a pitcher," Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "It's not like he's playing every day. You're not going to get a good feel and judgment on it until then, when you're playing every day, seven days a week, taking BP and all that. That's the true test.

"But, right now, it sounds like everything is great. He's just going to let it go through the normal healing process."

Braun underwent cryotherapy last month to repair nerve damage in his right thumb, a condition that had plagued him since the 2013 campaign. Braun's wonky thumb hampered his ability to grip the bat over the last two seasons, but the five-time All-Star has not experienced the discomfort in the few batting practice sessions he's had since his procedure.

"It seems to be better," said Melvin. "He'll wait until January to start swinging the bat more often."