The Brewers introduced this morning that they’ve positioned Christian Yelich on the 10-day injured record resulting from decrease again irritation. Catcher Gary Sanchez was activated from the IL to take Yelich’s spot on the roster.
Yelich exited yesterday’s win over the Cubs with tightness in his again, and he’s taken a extra ominous tone this morning when discussing the harm with the Brewers beat. He’s headed to see a specialist, per Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (X hyperlink), and Yelich’s description of what comes subsequent foreshadowed a doubtlessly notable absence.
“Go from there so far as what’s going to be finest for the close to future and into the longer term,” Yelich mentioned of his go to to a again specialist. “A pair completely different discussions I believe that must be had.”
Yelich, 32, noticed his manufacturing tail off in 2020-21, however the former MVP has been on the upswing since. His numbers have improved in three straight seasons, culminating in a classic .315/.406/.504 batting line via his first 315 plate appearances of the 2024 season. That’s 56% higher than league-average, by measure of wRC+, which stands because the third-highest mark in Yelich’s wonderful profession. His reemergence as one of many Nationwide League’s finest and most well-rounded offensive gamers has performed an enormous function in Milwaukee’s five-game lead within the division, however Yelich’s feedback this morning are removed from optimistic.
The Brewers are deeper in outfielders than most golf equipment, so there are many inside choices to step into his spot, although clearly nobody could be anticipated to copy Yelich’s standout offense this season. Nonetheless, Milwaukee has Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell and Blake Perkins all on the large league roster in the mean time. Former high prospect Joey Wiemer has a 16.6% stroll charge and .376 OBP down in Triple-A (although his typical energy output has curiously been M.I.A.). Milwaukee additionally simply added the appropriately named Brewer Hicklen to its 40-man roster final week; the 28-year-old has hit .274/.383/.569 with 19 homers and 27 steals in Triple-A Nashville after signing a minor league deal within the offseason.
It’s not but clear how a lot time Yelich could be anticipated to overlook, however with the commerce deadline simply six days away, it’s simple sufficient to see this harm having some broad-reaching impression on the Brewers’ deadline outlook. Yelich’s absence might make the Brewers extra cautious of dealing from that stash of controllable younger outfielders. It’s additionally possible {that a} long-term absence might push the Brewers to look into including a bat, no matter place. Yelich has been the group’s finest hitter and has additionally appeared in 26 video games as a delegated hitter. That might open up some at-bats for any new hitter to step into the lineup.
Beginning pitching figures to stay the Brewers’ focus, even after including Aaron Civale in a cope with the Rays earlier this month, however Yelich’s harm is a troublesome one to abdomen for a division-leading group. There’s no comparable hitter who may very well be had, after all, but it surely stands to motive {that a} long-term absence for Yelich might immediate Milwaukee to take a look at a wide range of bats who might deepen the lineup.
