Milwaukee Brewers' star outfielder Christian Yelich will miss the remainder of the 2024 MLB season due to an upcoming back surgery, scheduled for Friday. The announcement came on Thursday, a significant blow to the team and its fans as Yelich had been enjoying a renaissance season.
The chronic back issues that have intermittently plagued Yelich’s career have once again flared up, forcing him into this difficult decision. Yelich last took to the field on July 23 and has since been battling lower back inflammation. Despite numerous efforts to manage the pain and return to play, the decision to undergo surgery became imperative.
"After careful consideration and consultation with medical personnel, I have decided to undergo season-ending back surgery," Yelich stated in the official announcement. He further added, "I ultimately felt it was in the best interest of myself and the Brewers to have the surgery with the expectation of being back at 100% for next season."
This injury came at a particularly unfortunate time for Yelich, who was having a notable comeback season. He had posted a .315/.406/.504 slash line, showcasing his skills with 11 home runs and 21 stolen bases over 73 games, translating to a 152 OPS+. His contributions were instrumental in pushing the Brewers to a commanding lead in the NL Central, where they currently boast the largest division lead in baseball with a nine-game edge and an overall 69-52 record.
The procedure will be performed by Dr. Brandon Rebholz, a move Yelich hopes will provide long-term relief and enable him to return fully healthy next season. Yelich’s back issues have been a recurring theme throughout his career, and this year's complications have only added to that history. This surgery aims to mitigate those issues and allow him to perform at his best in the future.
Yelich's absence leaves a significant void in the Brewers' lineup, which, despite its depth, will feel the impact of losing such a pivotal player. The left-handed batting options left in the lineup include Jake Bauers, Tyler Black, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, and Brice Turang. Attempts to add another left-handed hitter before the July 30 trade deadline were unsuccessful, making the team's depth all the more crucial.
Even without Yelich, the Brewers have managed to hold their own, posting an 11-9 record since his last appearance. The resilience and depth of the roster will be tested further as they aim to maintain their playoff push without one of their star players. The team appears prepared to tackle the challenge, boxing on with the same tenacity that has put them in such a strong position this season.
Reflecting on his situation, Yelich expressed his mixed emotions: "We have a very special team here and it will be disappointing not to be able to contribute on the field down the stretch. However, I have the utmost confidence in my teammates and will be cheering them on with all of you, the great fans of Milwaukee." He concluded with a note of thanks, "Thank you for all your support. Go Brewers!"
This season marks the fifth year of the nine-year, $215 million contract extension Yelich signed with the Brewers in March 2020. He is set to earn $26 million annually from 2025 to 2028, with a $20 million mutual option for 2029. Despite his below-average defensive metrics at this point in his career, Yelich's offensive prowess makes him an invaluable asset to the team when healthy.
Yelich's decision to undergo surgery is undoubtedly the right one for his long-term health and the ongoing success of the Brewers. As he takes this time to recover, the focus will be on getting back to full strength for the next season, with the hope that this procedure will finally give him relief from his persistent back issues. The Brewers, with their robust lineup and strategic depth, will continue to push forward, bolstered by the strong leadership and determination that have defined their season thus far.