MILWAUKEE — The National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers will have to continue their playoff push without Christian Yelich.
Yelich is undergoing season-ending back surgery Friday, putting an end to the 2018 NL MVP’s resurgent season. Yelich was leading the NL in batting average (.315) and on-base percentage (.406) when he went on the injured list in late July.
But, he hasn’t played since getting removed from a game at Chicago’s Wrigley Field on July 23. Yelich has been dealing with back trouble for the last few years, and the issue landed him on the injured list twice this season.
The 32-year-old Yelich said Thursday in a video posted on social media that surgery “was just the best option that we really had left.”
“It just got to the point where it wasn’t getting better,” Yelich said. “I tried everything I could, ran out of options and it came time to make a decision.”
The Brewers announced that Dr. Brandon Rebholz will perform the surgery in Milwaukee.
“There’s really no other way to put it other than it sucks,” Yelich said. “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 was having his best season since his first two years in Milwaukee when he won the NL MVP in 2018 and finished second in the 2019 MVP balloting. He earned his third All-Star Game selection this season and had 11 homers, 42 RBIs and 21 steals in 73 games despite dealing with his back issues.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy has praised Yelich throughout the season for the leadership he has provided to a young team that has withstood numerous injuries to remain atop the NL Central since the end of April.
The Brewers won’t have Yelich to lead their lineup as they chase their first World Series title in franchise history.
Although the Brewers are in position to earn their sixth postseason appearance in the last seven years, they haven’t won a playoff series since 2018 and earned their lone World Series berth in 1982. The Brewers own the biggest lead of any major league team, with a nine-game edge over Cincinnati and St. Louis in the Central Division.
“It’s a great group of guys,” Yelich said. “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 post-season, 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.”
Milwaukee Brewers’ star player Christian Yelich has announced that he will undergo season-ending back surgery. The decision comes after Yelich experienced ongoing back issues that have hindered his performance on the field.
Yelich, who was the National League MVP in 2018, has been a key player for the Brewers since being acquired in a trade with the Miami Marlins in 2018. His combination of power hitting and speed on the basepaths has made him one of the most dynamic players in the league.
However, this season has been a challenging one for Yelich, as he has struggled with back issues that have limited his playing time and effectiveness. Despite his best efforts to rehab and play through the pain, Yelich and the Brewers’ medical staff ultimately determined that surgery was the best course of action to address the underlying issue.
The decision to undergo surgery means that Yelich will miss the remainder of the 2021 season, a disappointing outcome for both him and the Brewers. However, the team is confident that Yelich will make a full recovery and be ready to return to action next season.
In a statement released by the Brewers, Yelich expressed his gratitude for the support of his teammates, coaches, and fans during this difficult time. He also thanked the medical staff for their guidance and expertise in helping him make the decision to undergo surgery.
While Yelich’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Brewers, the team is focused on finishing the season strong and making a push for the playoffs. With a talented roster and strong leadership, the Brewers are confident that they can overcome this setback and continue to compete at a high level.
As for Yelich, he is looking forward to getting healthy and returning to the field next season. With his work ethic and determination, there is no doubt that he will come back stronger than ever and continue to be a force to be reckoned with in Major League Baseball.