Milwaukee Brewers' outfielder Christian Yelich will miss the remainder of the 2024 MLB season due to a season-ending back surgery scheduled for Friday. This announcement, made by Yelich and the Brewers on Thursday, comes as a significant blow to the team, especially given Yelich's stellar performance earlier in the season.
Yelich has battled persistent back issues throughout much of his career, and this latest bout of lower back inflammation has kept him out of action since July 23. After playing through pain for years, the decision to undergo surgery was described by Yelich as a carefully considered choice made in consultation with medical personnel.
"After careful consideration and consultation with medical personnel, I have decided to undergo season-ending back surgery," Yelich said. "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."
The procedure will be performed by Dr. Brandon Rebholz, and the aim is to have Yelich fully recovered and ready to contribute to the Brewers' 2025 campaign. Yelich expressed his disappointment at not being able to contribute during the final stretch of the season but also conveyed confidence in his teammates.
"We have a very special team here and it will be disappointing not to be able to contribute on the field down the stretch," he noted. "However, I have the utmost confidence in my teammates and will be cheering them on with all of you, the great fans of Milwaukee. Thank you for all your support. Go Brewers!"
Before his injury, Yelich was having a remarkable bounceback season, boasting a .315/.406/.504 slash line, complemented by 11 home runs and 21 stolen bases over 73 games. His impressive performance translated to a 152 OPS+, marking him as a major asset for the Brewers.
With Yelich sidelined, the Brewers have turned to their regular lineup, which includes left-handed hitters like Jake Bauers, Tyler Black, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, and Brice Turang. The team attempted to secure another left-handed hitter before the July 30 trade deadline but were unsuccessful in their efforts. Despite this setback, the Brewers have managed an 11-9 record since Yelich's injury.
The Brewers' overall standing is 69-52, and they currently hold a commanding nine-game lead in the NL Central, which is the largest division lead in baseball. This strong position bodes well for their postseason aspirations, even without their star outfielder.
Yelich's history of back problems has been well-documented. This year marks the fifth season of the nine-year, $215 million contract extension he signed in March 2020. From 2025 to 2028, Yelich is set to earn $26 million annually, with a $20 million mutual option for 2029, reflecting the Brewers' long-term commitment to the outfielder despite his persistent health issues.
It's also worth noting that Yelich's defensive metrics have shown some decline, grading him as below average at this point in his career. This further underscores the importance of his offensive contribution to the Brewers' success. However, the depth of the Brewers' roster and their strong current standings suggest they are prepared to tackle the challenges ahead without Yelich on the field.
As the Brewers continue their season, fans and teammates alike will undoubtedly miss Yelich's presence. The team's ability to maintain its impressive performance in his absence will be critical as they aim for a deep postseason run.