Even for a team that has lost players to Ross River Fever (Dave Nilsson), vestibular neuritis (Ben Sheets) and rectal cysts (Pete Vuckovich), the Brewers had to be shaking their heads over Matt Wise's latest malady.

Wise, one of the team's more dependable relief pitchers for the past two seasons, has been out of commission since cutting his right middle finger on a pair of salad tongs in the clubhouse Sunday in Kansas City.

Wise, a good-natured sort whose nickname in the clubhouse is "Woody" because he is thin and resembles the cowboy character of the same name from the movie "Toy Story," was able to take the injury in stride.

"At least it was something in my weight class," Wise told MLB.com.

Brewers manager Ned Yost wasn't laughing on Wednesday. When the Brewers took a 3-1 lead into the eighth inning, which is when Wise usually sees action in front of closer Derek Turnbow, Yost was forced to use Dan Kolb instead. The Cubs promptly rallied for five runs en route to a 6-3 victory.

Wise's injury is not the first bizarre injury suffered by a Brewers player this month. A week before the salad mishap, Jeff Cirillo injured his ankle when he jumped in the air and slammed his helmet to the ground after a long, intense at-bat ended in a flyout to deep left field.

Former reliever Steve Sparks probably owns the distinction of the most unusual injury suffered by a Brewers pitcher. After watching a motivational speaker address the club, the knuckleballer tried to rip a phone book in half and dislocated his non-pitching shoulder. He ended up on the disabled list and probably delayed his arrival in the big leagues by a year.

Wise is expected to be available later this week.

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