Braun tests back ... with some house-building

MILWAUKEE -- Ryan Braun's back is doing just fine -- or at least it is after drilling a few screws into some wood.
The Brewers' first baseman is on the 10-day disabled list, but he, along with teammates Chase Anderson and Christian Yelich, sponsored the building of a Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity house on Tuesday morning.
"I feel like putting those nails in locked me in," Braun joked. "The back is starting to feel better. Hopefully I get right and I'll be back in a couple of days."
The Brewers have been partnering with Milwaukee Habitat since 2006, and Habitat is building, rehabbing and repairing 100 homes in the Midtown area by 2020.
Braun, who has played in Milwaukee since 2007, is in his seventh year working with Habitat. He says it is special any time he has the opportunity to give back to the area.
"We all realize how fortunate we are to be in the position we are, and the support we received from the community is incredible," Braun said. "We feel fortunate to be a part of this."
Anderson, in his third season with the Brewers, and Yelich, a first-year Brewer, joined Braun for the building event.
Anderson has traveled to the Philippines for mission trips during recent offseasons, and he noted the importance of doing charitable deeds in his position as an athlete.
"These homes are obviously a lot nicer [than the ones in the Philippines], but it's just really humbling to be a part of something like this," he said. "To give back to the community, I really enjoy being a part of it and getting my hands dirty a little bit."
When Braun was called up to the podium to speak in front of the group of volunteers before the trio of players worked on the house's front porch, Milwaukee Habitat executive director Brian Sonderman reminded the audience that the Brewers currently sit in first place in the National League Central. Milwaukee also leads the NL in wins (29).
The fans and volunteers responded with cheering and applause.
"That was pretty awesome, something new to me as well," said Yelich, who spent his first five seasons with the Miami Marlins. "Has a nice little ring to it."
But while the players enjoyed the opportunity to give back to the community, it was the volunteers who appreciated the team's presence.
"As a fan, the players made this day totally worth it," said volunteer Teri Cardo. "The drizzle, the muddy shoes, the already sore wrist -- even though building is fun anyway, they made this day totally worthwhile."