Brewers Outfielder Christian Yelich Out For Year With Back Surgery

The Milwaukee Brewers’ postseason aspirations took a hit after All-Star outfielder Christian Yelich underwent season-ending back surgery on Aug. 16.

Yelich, the 2018 National League MVP, reclaimed his top form this season and led the NL with a .315 batting average and .406 on-base percentage before he was shut down with the injury on July 24. The back issues have hampered Yelich for much of the season, and he is hopeful the latest surgery will provide some relief.

“There’s really no other way to put it other than it sucks,” Yelich said in a video posted to his social media on Aug. 15 following the decision to undergo surgery. “It’s terrible. But it’s part of sports. These things happen. You get hurt, you get fixed, and you get back out there, try to stay as positive as possible about it.”

Yelich, who earned his third All-Star Game selection this season, has not been in the lineup since July 23 against the Chicago Cubs, the second time he has been placed on the Injured List with a back injury.

It’s a setback for the Brewers, who lead the National League Central with a 69–52 record, nine games ahead of the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals. Milwaukee leads the fourth-place Chicago Cubs by 10.5 games.

The Brewers are gunning for their sixth postseason appearance in the past seven years. However, Milwaukee has not won a playoff series since 2018, when it swept the Colorado Rockies in the Division Series but lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Championship Series. Milwaukee has also not played in a World Series berth since 1982 when it lost to St Louis in seven games.

Yelich, who the Marlins originally selected in the first round of the 2010 MLB draft, played a key role in Milwaukee’s success and managed 11 homers, 42 RBIs, and 21 steals in 73 games while dealing with back issues this season.

Overall, Yelich has had a stellar career and has won three Silver Slugger Awards, made two All-Star Games, won two batting titles, earned a Gold Glove, and was named the National League MVP. Yelich, in 2022, became the sixth player in history to hit for the cycle three times, joining Trea Turner, Adrian Beltre, Babe Herman, Bob Meusel, and John Reilly.

Despite his absence, Yelich is confident the Brewers can finish the job and win the National League Central, especially with such a big lead at this point of the season.

Shortstop Willy Adames leads the team with 21 home runs, followed by first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who has 20 homers. Second baseman Brice Turang is second in the National League with 36 stolen bases. Colin Rea leads the starting rotation and is 10–4 with a 3.72 ERA.

“It’s a great group of guys,” Yelich said on social media on Aug. 15. “They’re playing extremely well. I’m happy to watch them and see what they’re going to do. Hopefully, they can win the division and get in the playoffs. And then once you’re in the postseason, it’s like who knows what’s going to happen? You get hot and it could be a cool run. I’m excited for them. We’ll see. Hopefully, they can pull it off. I think they’ll be just fine.”