Milwaukee Brewers' outfielder Ryan Braun swung a baseball bat for the first time since he underwent a cryotherapy procedure on his right thumb on Oct. 2. The procedure consisted of injecting subzero temperatures into the nerves in Braun's right thumb in hopes of eliminating the pain that has been ailing him since the early part of the 2013 regular season.

Braun, who turns 31-year-old this November, was given clearance by his surgeon Vernon Williams to test his thumb by swinging a baseball bat. According to Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel, Brewers' assistant general manager Gord Ash reported that Braun "felt pretty good" after taking a few swings on Sunday and plans to take more swings later this week to further test his right thumb.

The plan seems to be for Braun to periodically test out his thumb by swinging a bat to see how it holds up. The procedure he underwent is somewhat of an experimental procedure for a baseball player, but both the Brewers' organization and Braun believe that it has provided a chance to move past the injury that has impeded his offensive production over the past year.

Following his 65-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Agreement in 2013, Braun has struggled to get back to his 2011 National League MVP form. In 135 games played this past season, he batted .266.324/.453 while hitting 19 homers and driving in 81 RBI. He also finished his 2014 campaign with a career-low .777 OPS.

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