Yesterday, the chance was raised that Brewers outfielder/designated hitter Christian Yelich could possibly be going through season-ending again surgical procedure. That state of affairs appears to be off the desk in the mean time, with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reporting on X that Yelich will try relaxation and rehab for now, however with surgical procedure within the offseason nonetheless “a robust chance.”
The Brewers positioned their star and former MVP on the 10-day injured record yesterday with decrease again irritation. It was reported on the time that the 32-year-old could be seeing a backbone specialist at present with season-ending surgical procedure a chance, although it appears the specialist gave Yelich some hope of returning this season.
The decrease again has been an ongoing drawback for Yelich, as he went on the IL resulting from points in that a part of his physique in 2014, 2015, 2021 and now once more in 2024. “I’ve handled it loads throughout my profession,” Yelich stated yesterday, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com on X. “I really feel prefer it’s sort of affected me in a unfavorable method at occasions. I’ve been capable of play at a excessive degree nevertheless it’s a type of issues that’s held be again a bit, in order that’s the place it’s irritating. What are you going to do? But additionally, although, there’s a possible that I can lastly get on the opposite aspect of this, lastly, when all is claimed and accomplished. We’ll see. It stays to be seen, I assume.”
Primarily based on these phrases from Yelich, it appears as if there’s some perception that the surgical procedure might put the problem behind him for good. Even when that’s the case, it’s comprehensible why he would attempt to delay it, at the very least for just a few months. The Brewers are presently 59-43 and have a six-game lead over the Cardinals within the Nationwide League Central. Given the membership’s circumstances, it’s comprehensible that he would wish to pursue an opportunity of coming again for the stretch run after which the playoffs.
Even when not 100% wholesome, he’s usually the perfect participant on the sphere when he’s on the market. He gained Nationwide League MVP in 2018 and was roughly nearly as good in 2019. Over these two seasons, he hit 80 dwelling runs and slashed .327/.415/.631 for a wRC+ of 170. He additionally stole 52 bases and performed all three outfield positions. He racked up a large 14.2 wins above substitute in that two-year stretch, per FanGraphs.
He then had a little bit of a dip in 2020 and 2021, hitting .234/.360/.392 in that point for a 106 wRC+, however he’s been on an upward pattern since then. His wRC+ jumped to 111 in 2022 and 122 final 12 months, earlier than getting all the best way to 155 right here in 2024. He’s hit 11 dwelling runs and is drawing walks in 12.7% of his plate appearances, resulting in a .315/.406/.504 batting line. He’s swiped 21 luggage as nicely.
Getting that sort of manufacturing again within the lineup later within the 12 months will clearly be a precedence for the Brewers. For now, they’ve an outfield combine consisting of Sal Frelick, Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell and Blake Perkins. The designated hitter slot might be shared between Rhys Hoskins, Gary Sánchez and others.
Even when he is ready to return this 12 months, it’s nonetheless potential he’ll need to go beneath the knife later. Whether or not that impacts his offseason or his 2025 marketing campaign stays to be seen. His cope with the Brewers runs via 2028 with a mutual choice for 2029.
