CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Ryan Brauns acknowledgement that he used performance-enhancing drugs was welcomed in the Milwaukee Brewers clubhouse, where players hope it helps to heal some of the pain caused by his actions and a resulting 65-game suspension. Russell Westbrook Blue Jersey . "I thought it was a good first step on the road to redemption, I guess you could say," catcher Jonathan Lucroy said Friday before the start of a series against the Cincinnati Reds. Braun released a statement Thursday night acknowledging for the first time that he used a cream and a lozenge containing banned substances while recovering from an injury in 2011, when he won the National Leagues MVP award. Several Brewers, including Lucroy, have stayed in touch with Braun by phone since he agreed to Major League Baseballs suspension on July 22. Lucroy expects Braun to have a news conference at some point to answer questions. For now, the statement sufficed. "It certainly was enough for me," manager Ron Roenicke said. "I think its enough for his teammates. Hes made some calls to his teammates. "I think no matter what he says, theres going to be some negative from a lot of people still: He didnt say enough (or) he didnt explain himself enough. I think he did. And I also think there are some things he probably still cant say. As I read into how he said it, I think there are some things that probably he cant bring up. Thats OK with me." Reliever John Axford said the statement should bring some closure. "Knowing Ryan and understanding Ryan, Im going to be able to move forward and I hope other people will be able too," Axford said. Brauns statement didnt provide any detail about exactly what substances he used or who provided them. Roenicke said Brauns probably limited in what he can say for now because of the legal ramifications. His suspension resulted from Major League Baseballs investigation of Biogenesis of America, a clinic that was accused of providing banned substances to major leaguers. The clinic is now closed. Braun took full responsibility in his statement and apologized to numerous people. Lucroy said Braun will be welcomed back quicker by his teammates than he will be by others outside the team, even though he had misled his teammates as well. "I dont think its going to be that difficult in here," Lucroy said. "I think the outside, of course, is going to be harder to deal with. Within the clubhouse, I dont think so. If he comes back and is a good teammate and performs and contributes to the team winning, I dont see why he wont be welcomed back with open arms. "Im sure he will because hes very talented." Axford said hes already moved beyond the matter. "You can be upset, you can be angry, but in the clubhouse here were close," Axford said. "Were friends. Were family. And you have to have faith and belief and trust in your family. "If you want to move past it, you have to be able to forgive, and thats where Im at," Axford added. "Im in the position where I want to be able to forgive and move past this and talk to Ryan like our friends and family." Roenicke agreed that Braun will have a tougher time being forgiven by those outside the club. "This is a nice man," Roenicke said, sitting on the bench in the visitors dugout at Great American Ball Park during batting practice. "He is. This is a nice young man that messed up. Thats what it is. "And hes got a long road ahead of him. Im sure hell be yelled at at all of the stadiums hell go to next year," Roenicke added. "Hes going to have things continually written about him. But its a first step, I think, in trying to get through this, probably trying to heal up some relationships, whether its the fans, whether its his good friends, whether its his teammates. "I think this is a nice step toward that," he said. Mitch McGary Jersey . While talking to reporters during the first intermission of Game 4 on Wednesday night, Robidas got emotional when asked about the disappointment of missing the rest of the playoffs. Anthony Morrow Jersey . Among the six changes: Drivers are now eligible if they have competed for 30 or more years in NASCAR or turned 55 in the calendar year before nominating day. Previously, drivers were not eligible until they had been retired for three years, so drivers can continue to compete and still reach the hall.With less than one week to go until the March 5 NHL trade deadline, TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun has the latest on Ottawas Chris Phillips, Vancouvers Ryan Kesler, and the Rangers Ryan Callahan and offers some insight on their situations and potential trade status. What are the chances that Chris Phillips is still an Ottawa Senator after the trade deadline? Pierre LeBrun: Well theres still a chance, because the Senators are trying to sign him. They have already talked to him and they would like to do a one-year extension with him. If they get a yes on that extension, then he stays put, but if they cant get him signed it puts Ottawa in a tough spot because they are five points out - theyre not in a playoff spot right now. If the next couple of games dont go well, theyre even further apart from a playoff spot and I can tell you this, the Boston Bruins and Peter Chiarelli - who was formerly with the Ottawa Senators - knows Phillips and Boston would be all over him if hes put on the trade market by Ottawa. The next couple of games are huge in terms of his future and what the Senators do with him. Are there any new developments on the Ryan Kesler trade front? LeBrun: Kesler is the biggest name on the market right now. He didnt officially ask for a trade - I think thats true - but everyone knows that from both his side and the Canucks side, a changee of scenery might be the best thing. Russell Westbrook Jersey. I was told on Friday by a source, and this is now public, that the action has absolutely picked up and the phone is ringing off the hook in Vancouver. So many teams want to at least educate themselves about what it would cost to get in on the Ryan Kesler market. And again, the Canucks are telling everyone "we dont have to move him before Wednesday." If they dont get their price met (which is very high) then they can wait until June to possibly trade him. The Flyers, Blue Jackets, Red Wings - of course hes from Michigan - the list goes on as theres so much interest in Kesler. How does Dan Girardis six-year deal impact Ryan Callahan with the New York Rangers? LeBrun: I do feel in my heart of hearts that it has an impact and thats where it starts with Callahan. I have this gut feeling that he might soften on these contract demands and if he does, I think he can re-sign with the Rangers. And thats because this team is on a roll, hes the captain, and he and Girardi are close so look for that to maybe have an impact. But certainly if he doesnt soften on his contract demands then the Rangers are going to trade him. One small note on Girardi, by the way - his no-movement clause, which is in his new extension, starts right away. He doesnt have to wait until July 1 when his new deal kicks in. Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys ' ' '
