Apr 1, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Christian Yelich (22) comes in from the outfield at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) – The Milwaukee Brewers got some good news on Thursday regarding star outfielder Christian Yelich’s latest back injury.
According to The Athletics’ Ken Rosenthal, Yelich has opted to rest and rehab his back while on the 10-day IL instead of undergoing season-ending back surgery after meeting with a spinal specialist on Thursday. Yelich may still have the surgery during the off-season if his condition doesn’t improve with rehab.
The 32-year-old All-Star Game starter missed a month from mid-April into May following an earlier flare-up and told the media on Wednesday that the process has been frustrating so far, saying, “Everybody plays through stuff, but sometimes you just can’t. That’s kind of where we’re at at this point. Your body won’t cooperate with you. For me, aside from when I broke my knee, this has been the one thing that I’ve had to deal with. … I’ve been able to play at a high level, but it’s one of those things that’s held me back a little, so that’s where it’s frustrating.
When manager Pat Murphy was asked if Yelich’s injury could change the team’s approach at the upcoming trade deadline, he said, “What do you suggest we do? Go get Vlad [Guerrero] Jr.? I mean, for what Yeli does for this lineup and this clubhouse, I don’t know [that] there’s too many players who can replace him. I mean that. He’s got a special niche here with us.”
Yelich has hit .315 so far this season with 11 home runs and 42 RBIs, and the Brewers will look to former top prospects Garrett Mitchell and Jackson Chourio to help pick up the slack at the plate in the meantime and help the Brewers win their second straight NL Central title.
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