MILWAUKEE — Lorenzo Cain won't be available Wednesday when the Milwaukee Brewers wrap up a two-game interleague series with the Kansas City Royals at Miller Park.

The Brewers had hoped that by resting Cain on Sunday against St. Louis ahead of a team off-day Monday Brandon Manning Jersey , the veteran center fielder would be ready to return to action against his former team.

Instead, they'll go at least another week without him after placing on the disabled list with a strained groin.

"After going through treatment the last couple of days, he's unable to play," manager Craig Counsell said. "We think it's mild and it's going to be a short stay (on the DL) but we just didn't think it was worth waiting three or four days to see if he's ready to go.

"He's only out for eight days, after missing two already, then we'll reassess. We're hoping it's on the short end."

Even if it's a short stay, the loss is a big one for the Brewers, who signed Cain to a five-year $80 million contract this winter. He's been a force atop the Brewers' lineup, batting .291 with eight home runs and 26 RBIs while posting a .394 on-base percentage and .832 OPS.

"He's a good player; he's having a great season," Counsell said. "But this is part of a baseball season. We have to be equipped to handle losses. I think we are. It's been a strength of this team so far and how we've gotten to this point."

With Cain out, the Brewers recalled outfielder Keon Broxton from Colorado Springs.

Broxton is expected to join the team Wednesday. It will mark the first big league appearance of the season for Broxton http://www.greenbaypackersteamonline.com/dean-lowry-jersey , who hit 20 home runs with 21 stolen bases in 143 games for Milwaukee last season but became the odd man out after Cain and Christian Yelich were acquired over the offseason.

"He's been swinging the bat pretty well lately," Counsell said of Broxton, who was batting .263 with nine home runs and 35 RBIs at Colorado Springs.

Counsell said Travis Shaw will likely sit out again Wednesday, too. He's been dealing with a sore wrist for much of the last two weeks and left Milwaukee's game Sunday after aggravating the injury during a third-inning at-bat against St. Louis.

"I think Travis is going to be OK," Counsell said. "We're hoping to avoid a DL stint. The tricky part is if we can get past it. If we don't think we're going to get past it, we'll have to talk about the disabled list with him as well.

"He's much better than he was yesterday and Sunday. So, I think we're going in the right direction. There's nothing structural in there. It's a wrist strain. Hopefully, he'll be all right."

Brent Suter (8-4, 4.15 ERA) will start for Milwaukee, looking for his fourth consecutive victory. The left-hander has been superb during his winning streak, posting a 2.84 ERA while holding batters to a .185 average and a .551 OPS.

Suter's been no slouch at the plate http://www.greenbaypackersteamonline.com/kentrell-brice-jersey , himself this season. He is 5-for-14 over his last nine starts with a home run, three walks and three RBIs.

"I love hitting," Suter said. I've loved it my whole life. Even when I'm struggling, I still like going up there and trying to whack it. It's one of my favorite parts besides pitching in the game."

He's had more opportunity to step into the box lately because he's been working significantly deeper into games. Suter worked through the seventh in each of his last two starts.

"It's something I trained for in the offseason so to see it be able to come to fruition the last couple starts feels good," Suter said.

Suter has never faced the Royals.

Left-hander Danny Duffy will start for Kansas City. He held the Astros scoreless on two hits over six innings in his last outing but took no-decision as the Royals rallied late for a 1-0 victory.

It was a rare bright spot in what's been a painful month for the Royals, who are 4-19 since June 1 and have lost 12 of their last 14 games — six by four or more runs.

"We're all frustrated," Yost said. "I've never seen anything like it. I've never been a part of a month like this. An offensive drought like we've had all month long is pretty puzzling. There's no answer for it."

A look at what's happening around the majors today:

HITTING BRAVES

Among the many things the Atlanta Braves have done right on their way to leading the National League East this season, they've been getting hits. The Braves began their series against fellow division leader Milwaukee on Thursday night with three of the top four hits leaders in the NL, with outfielder Nick Markakis (108) leading the way and infielder Ozzie Albies (102) and Freddie Freeman (101) close behind in third and fourth, respectively. It's the first time in franchise history the team has had three players reach 100 hits prior to the All-Star game, and the Braves will continue their series when Mike Foltynewicz and Freddy Peralta face off.

GOING GRAY

In a season full of highlights for the New York Yankees http://www.greenbaypackersteamonline.com/jimmy-graham-jersey , right-hander Sonny Gray has been one of the team's biggest disappointments in his first full season with club. Gray will try and rebound from his worst start of the season when the Yankees begin a weekend series in Toronto against the Blue Jays. After being acquired from Oakland last season, Gray is 5-6 with 5.44 ERA this season and is coming off an 11-0 loss to Boston last weekend in which he allowed six runs in only 2 1/3 innings.

CHICAGO SEEING RED

Two weeks ago, the Chicago Cubs suffered through an embarrassing four-game sweep in Cincinnati – beginning a stretch of six losses in seven games. Chicago has won six straight games since that rough patch, and has the opportunity to make amends with the Reds when the two teams begin a weekend series at Wrigley Field. Mike Montgomery (3-2) starts for Chicago, and Tyler Mahle (6-6) takes the mound for Cincinnati.

ACE OF NEW YORK

Despite the struggles of the New York Mets for much of the season, Jacob deGrom has been one of the NL's most dominant starters. The right-hander leads the league with his 1.84 ERA and will be back at work when he takes the mound against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. He has allowed three runs in each of his last two starts, the first time he's allowed three or more runs in back-to-back games since April.

SUMMER KING

Seattle Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez (8-6) put together his best full month of the season in June, posting a 3.71 ERA in six starts and lowering his overall ERA from 5.83 to 5.11 in the process. The 2010 Cy Young award winner will try and extend his improved performance into July when he starts in an interleague game against the visiting Colorado Rockies.

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