MILWAUKEE -- On the same day the Boston Globe quoted one National League scout as saying Ryan Braun is "the hot name out there" on the trade market, that name was again absent from the Brewers' starting lineup. And this time, it's a new physical ailment.
A stiff neck sidelined Braun for the start of Sunday's series finale against the Reds at Miller Park, marking the eighth time in the Brewers' last 14 games that Braun was on the bench for the opening pitch.
The previous absences were for soreness in his surgically-repaired lower back (May 18-21) and for a sore right wrist (May 14-15).