MILWAUKEE -- Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun is back in the lineup against the St. Louis Cardinals after missing two games with neck stiffness.
Braun hasn't played since Saturday in Cincinnati, when he pinch hit and hit into a double play.
"Taking your listed No. 3 hitter out of the lineup, I think we've done really well," manager Craig Counsell said. "It's never easy losing one of your best offensive players. You want that guy in there."
Braun is hitting .351 with nine home runs and 30 RBIs.
Also, the Brewers claimed pitcher Neil Ramirez off waivers from the Cubs and designated infielder Colin Walsh for assignment.
Counsell said Ramirez would join the club Wednesday. Ramirez pitched in eight games for the Cubs with a 4.70 ERA.
"We've always thought highly of him, he's got a good arm, battled some injuries. It was an opportunity to pick up an arm we like," Counsell said of Ramirez.