Brewers' Counsell confirms Braun will start Opening Day at 1st base

Ryan Braun's transition to first baseman has gone smoothly enough in spring training for Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell to commit to the veteran starting there on Opening Day.

The Brewers skipper confirmed Braun would be the team's first baseman against left-handed pitching, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Milwaukee will face the San Diego Padres on Opening Day, who have tabbed lefty Clayton Richard as their No. 1 starter.

To date, Braun has never played first base in 1,458 career games.

The 34-year-old was forced to move out of his normal position in left field when the Brewers signed Lorenzo Cain and traded for Christian Yelich this offseason. Eric Thames has been relegated to platoon duties behind Braun and will likely only start at first base against right-handed pitchers.

Early in spring, Braun told the Journal Sentinel he wasn't yet comfortable playing first base and said he was "doing it with the understanding that it's in the best interests of the team."

Braun has committed one error while making 34 putouts in 41 innings at first base across eight spring training contests.