What in Adam's name is going on with the Brewers' ribs?

Ryan Braun, normally a healthy if not strapping young power hitter, was reduced to tears the bench down the stretch a season ago because of a pulled rib-cage muscle in his lower back. Almost cost the Brewers the playoffs

Braden Looper, a real pro jock who otherwise is impervious to pain, was sidelined until recently with a rib problem. Hey, it seems to be going around.

And now, the closer, newly acquired Trevor Hoffman, is out because of a strained oblique, a muscle in the right side of his — guess where? — rib cage. Hoffman's strain, which is the lowest grade on a scale of 1-3, isn't expected to sideline him long. It means a few more days off for the major leagues' career saves leader. Hoffman's injury also lead to more questions:

Why can't the Brewers keep their players ribs healthy and what might this mean to a change in the lineup for the Sausage Race?

Already competing: Hot Dog, Bratwurst, Polish Sausage, Italian Sausage and, the new kid, Chorizo. Combined with these recent events, it's only a matter of time until the field is expanded, rightfully, to include the McRib — McDonald's delicious "sausage-like" barbecue sandwich offered only at certain times of the year.

One of those times should be April-October at Miller Park.

Neither the Brewers nor Ronald McDonald would be reached for condiment comment.

UPDATE: McRib now has eyes.