Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun.  (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, FIle)

MESA, Ariz. -- Ryan Braun headed off for Team USA and the World Baseball Classic on Sunday, and no offense to the Milwaukee Brewers but he hoped not to be back in their spring camp for a while.

"I'm hoping for a long absence," said Braun, who will be playing in his second Classic.

"Nothing is guaranteed in this game. In a three-game round-robin tournament, anything can happen. Every team has plenty of major-league players. There's a lot of talent out there, but the goal is to win the tournament."

The all-star leftfielder didn't play in the Brewers' last three games because of a bruised left knee, the result of fouling a pitch off it last Thursday. Braun did not expect it to be an issue when Team USA begins play later in the week, however.

"It's not the first time; I'm sure it won't be the last," Braun said. "A foul ball never feels good. I'll be fine. The swelling is a lot better than it was.

"It's just a matter of getting some of the swelling to subside a little bit. There's nothing you can do. Hopefully, the range of motion gets better each day."

Braun was one of 10 players who exited the Brewers' camp to participate in the WBC. A total of 13 from the organization are taking part, so Braun understands the absentees would have a significant impact on those left behind.

"It's going to be a lot different, I would imagine," he said. "It's a lot of guys. It changes the dynamic quite a bit. But it's still early in spring training; there are a lot of people here.

"It gives other guys an opportunity, hopefully, to get some meaningful playing time because throughout the course of the season you're going to use a lot more than the 25 guys you start the season with. From a team perspective, it can benefit a lot of guys by giving them valuable experience. There's nothing that duplicates playing against major-league players."

Getting their chance: The group of players most affected by the WBC exodus is the catching corps. With Jonathan Lucroy off with Team USA and Martin Maldonado playing for Puerto Rico, there will be many game opportunities for the remaining catchers.

Blake Lalli and Robinzon Diaz have the most experience of the other receivers, but manager Ron Roenicke said he wanted to look at Adam Weisenburger and Dayton Buller, once the latter recovers from a calf strain.

"They're going to get more at-bats," Roenicke said. "Weisenburger is going to play a little bit, which will be nice. Obviously, there's an opportunity for a bunch of them.

"We're hoping Buller comes back and is able to play. Buller is farther along than Weisenberger and ( Anderson) De La Rosa as far as being able to handle pitching staffs. We'd like to get him back and see what he can do."

Roenicke said Lalli "has a good idea" of how to call a game and likes the way he has swung the bat as well. That was sweet music to Lalli's ears.

"That's what you want as a player -- opportunity," said Lalli, who is batting .333 (4 for 12) with a homer and three RBI in exhibition play. "You want to play a lot and work with the pitching staff. I've been catching a lot of pens (bullpen sessions). I came out early so I could get to know the pitchers and get a head start.

"I'm really excited about it. I've been swinging the bat pretty good. Obviously, no one is where they want to be right now, but it'll be good to get more at-bats. What you want to do is get good pitches and take good swings."

Escobar snake-bitten: Veteran right-hander Kelvim Escobar, attempting a comeback after missing the last three years because of shoulder issues, did not make it through his first inning with the Brewers.

Coming on in the sixth against the Cubs, he issued two walks, threw a wild pitch and hit a batter before departing with what Roenicke said were issues gripping the ball.

"He didn't feel good strength in his hand, and the ball was coming out funny," Roenicke said. "I just think it's the strength in your hand when you're trying to grip it too tight.

"I think that's why both those (final) pitches were up and away, and so high. It's not feeling right coming out of his hand."

Roenicke said he didn't know where that left Escobar in his comeback attempt.

"We'll see how he is (Tuesday)," Roenicke said. "There were some pitches he threw that were good. He threw a real nice 'split' for a punch-out, threw some good fastballs, but not consistent. He may want to throw another bullpen (session) and see where he is."