PLAYING TIME: Braun's Reprieve and the MIL OF Picture

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Braun's suspension overturned

Ryan Braun's (OF, MIL) 50-game PED suspension was reversed on appeal, restoring his fulltime status. Braun's presence impacts the competition for OF playing time in MIL. Japanese import Nori Aoki (OF, MIL), a contact hitter with little power and average speed, loomed as the likely replacement had Braun's suspension been upheld.

With Braun in the lineup, Aoki could eventually challenge Nyjer Morgan (OF, MIL) for the CF job. Morgan is coming off a .304-BA campaign that was driven by an elevated 37% hit rate and impressive 26% LD%. While Morgan is likely to open the season as the starter, Aoki provides an alternative if Morgan reverts to his 2010 form (.253 BA/.258 xBA).

Aoki also...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From PT Today

A busy day of roster tightening with Opening Day less than a week away, headlined by the Jays shelving two members of their projected rotation...
Mar 20 2026 9:06am
Luis Campusano and Santiago Espinal make the Opening Day rosters; Liam Hendriks enters the save picture in Minnesota; and more.
Mar 19 2026 8:20am
Attrition in the Padres rotation has Walker Buehler as the next arm up. Plus, Hayden Birdsong's elbow injury, Merrill Kelly's back issues, and a new contender in the STL outfield...
Mar 17 2026 7:49am
Kevin McGonigle might just break camp with the Tigers; infield coming in to focus in LAA, and another Robert Stephenson setback.
Mar 16 2026 9:00am
Projected rotations are clarifying in Seattle, Anaheim, Detroit, and Milwaukee...
Mar 14 2026 9:27am

Tools