Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that he expects Braun (back) to be ready for Opening Day, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that he expects Braun (back) to be ready for Opening Day, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Analysis:

The expectation as of Thursday was that Braun could return to the diamond Saturday, but the All-Star's surgically repaired back did not cooperate with that plan and he was sidelined yet again. Braun underwent surgery on his lower back during the offseason, but he was able to get off to a hot start this spring before reporting soreness in that area this week. Counsell is still confident that Braun will be ready for Opening Day, but each day that passes without Braun in the lineup gives more and more reason for concern.