Brewers' Braun not in lineup Monday vs. Reds

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun's absence from Monday's lineup is not due to an injury, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Analysis:

Braun's omission from the lineup for a second day in a row is puzzling for a player of his stature, but it appears he is not dealing with any health issues, and is instead being held out either to get a mental break, or for performance reasons. Braun's woeful .556 OPS provides credence to the latter option, but he is the top hitter in the Brewers lineup when right, so he figures to return to action Tuesday as long as he is healthy like he says.