12:02pm: Yelich is meeting with a spine specialist tomorrow, and season-ending back surgery is a possibility, tweets Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.
“Everybody plays through stuff, but sometimes you just can’t,” Yelich tells McCalvy. “That’s kind of where we’re at, at this point. Your body won’t cooperate with you.”
10:35am: The Brewers announced this morning that they’ve placed Christian Yelich on the 10-day injured list due to lower back inflammation. 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 back, and he’s taken a more ominous tone this morning when discussing the injury with the Brewers beat. He’s headed to see a specialist, per Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (X link), and Yelich’s description of what comes next foreshadowed a potentially notable absence.
“Go from there as far as what’s going to be best for the near future and into the future,” Yelich said of his visit to a back specialist. “A couple different discussions I think that need to be had.”
Yelich, 32, saw his production tail off in 2020-21, but the former MVP has been on the upswing since. His numbers have improved in three straight seasons, culminating in a vintage .315/.406/.504 batting line through his first 315 plate appearances of the 2024 season. That’s 56% better than league-average, by measure of wRC+, which stands as the third-highest mark in Yelich’s excellent career. His reemergence as one of the National League’s best and most well-rounded offensive players has played a huge role in Milwaukee’s five-game lead in the division, but Yelich’s comments this morning are far from optimistic.
The Brewers are deeper in outfielders than most clubs, so there are plenty of internal options to step into his spot, though clearly no one can be expected to replicate Yelich’s standout offense this season. Still, Milwaukee has Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell and Blake Perkins all on the big league roster at the moment. Former top prospect Joey Wiemer has a 16.6% walk rate and .376 OBP down in Triple-A (though his typical power output has curiously been M.I.A.). Milwaukee also just added the appropriately named Brewer Hicklen to its 40-man roster last 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 in the offseason.
It’s not yet clear how much time Yelich can be expected to miss, but with the trade deadline just six days away, it’s easy enough to see this injury having some broad-reaching impact on the Brewers’ deadline outlook. Yelich’s absence could make the Brewers more wary of dealing from that stash of controllable young outfielders. It’s also feasible that a long-term absence could push the Brewers to look into adding a bat, regardless of position. Yelich has been the team’s best hitter and has also appeared in 26 games as a designated hitter. That could open up some at-bats for any new hitter to step into the lineup.
Starting pitching figures to remain the Brewers’ focus, even after adding Aaron Civale in a deal with the Rays earlier this month, but Yelich’s injury is a difficult one to stomach for a division-leading team. There’s no comparable hitter who could be had, of course, but it stands to reason that a long-term absence for Yelich could prompt Milwaukee to look at a variety of bats who could deepen the lineup.
Glad to see the crew hasn’t traded away any outfield depth yet.
you mean DH depth.
Real shame. seemed like he was having a really good year. Felt like he was finally getting back to a better version of himself, especially when added to last years performance.
Fingers crossed it’s not as bad as it seems.
I’m a Phillies fan but have always been a Yelich fan. I hope he makes a full recovery but any kind of operation on the back scares the daylights out of me. Sending prayers and good thoughts to Yelich and Brewer fans.
As a Die hard Brewer Fan Dakota Joe, your a class act! The world needs more people like you, Good luck to your Phils
Always good to use the phantom IL throughout the season.
Old…His back issues are real and derailed his career…can tell yer trolling so will say you got me haha but cant help but reply to this nonsense
@Poolhalljunkies
Sure, it’s probably a back issue but we’ve seen that teams are doing this with their rosters and even players have admitted this to be the case. So, while you think it’s trolling, I think of it as a tongue-in-cheek reply to a real issue that happens in MLB.
What? Sorry but you’re going to have to show your work on that statement that players are admitting they’re going on the IL for no reason. I’ll wait.
@Unclemike1525
I guess you missed the whole Mets situation in the offseason. Oh well…
In the off season? Huh? And you got 1 example if that?
@Unclemike1525
Trevor May & Tommy Hunter have talked about this as well. It’s all part of MLB culture.
I think with phantom IL trips they usually use something like “shoulder soreness:”, not “needs back surgery” lol
Players have openly talked about Phantom IL, but it was very dumb to think this was a phantom IL situation.
Yeli has chronic back issues, and Haase would’ve been the phantom IL guy to make room for a catcher coming back
@semut
It seems the whole article has been updated along with the subject line, so clearly, a different narrative being presented here.
@Russell Branyan
Why is it dumb to think it was a phantom IL situation?
If you can’t figure that out, no one can help you.
The whole thing is blown out of proportion. There are just times during a 162 game season where a pitcher or position player needs a rest to calm some kind of ailment down. Most players don’t want to admit they’re having a problem because they want to play. So teams spend millions on MRI’s for no reason then I guess? Hendricks went on the IL when he was stinking up the town but he’s had shoulder problems the last 2 years. So he went on the IL and he has been better, But then you’re saying the rest wasn’t warranted? I guess the site is full of Dr’s now. I’m quite sure the Brewers didn’t want to be without Yelich for 10 days or more right now but I’m glad there are people on here who know more than the team Dr’s. We’re saved.
Now it says he might need surgery. I’m sure that was in the Brewers plans when they put him on the phantom IL.
@vtadave
How can no one help me if they haven’t attempted to present a logical argument?
@Unclemike1525
No way! Of course when you change the subject of the article and update things, it changes the narrative.
Simply knowing of his history with back problems would have been enough to not make this silly comment in the first place, even before the story and headline were updated.
Ahh gotcha, I forgot to check if I was reading the original print. Thanks for the heads up
Hopefully his situation doesn’t resemble that of David Wright, Mike Trout, or Andy Van Slyke.
It’s a huge blow to the Brewers. St. Louis is charging and Pittsburgh is streaking. Only time will tell how the Brewers respond.
“Why is it dumb to think it was a phantom IL situation?”
Because Yelich is their best bat and they are in a playoff race. Why would they do that?
Why would the Brewers play with the DL with their best player? That makes zero sense. That has to be one of the stupidest things i read. Zero sense.
@toddkirchenberg
Makes tons of sense to give rest and recover for the playoff push.
(Sigh)
Get better soon.
Need to add a bat as well as pitching at the deadline.
Crew hasnt traded from their OF log jam yet, so no huge pressure to trade for an impact bat there.
I always thought Wiemer was part of a potential trade package for another rotation arm, and I still think so. His path seems blocked even without Yeli (and with Bauers as another potential emergency outfielder). But minus Yeli’s bat, this really scrambles the Brewers deadline strategy unless a specialist says his IL stint will be a short one. The Brewers need DH help, unless Hoskins turns on the offense soon.
What was blocking Wiemer was his hitting. He has been hot recently in Nashville. But nothing another team would trade for.
Crew should be sellers, Adames and Hoskins should be moved.
A first place team one week ahead of the deadline should be sellers? What in the world is going on with baseball fans
Long time Brewers fan. Win the NL Central and out the first round. Move Adames who they can not afford. Hoskins can opt out after this season. Move him and get something back.
Pretty simple unless winning the NL central means something.
swing and a miss!!!! Been a Brewers fan since 1970. Unless winning the NL Central is the only thing you require.
He’s no Cub fan… I’m a die hard Cub fan and hate that Yeli is going to be going under the knife.
Who are they getting for Adame who is a rental? Take the comp pick at the end of rd 1 and try and win the division, then get hot in the playoffs.
Have you not been watching the playoffs the last few seasons? Any team that gets in can get hot and make it to the World Series, so yes winning the division means a lot.
Also your comments about trading Adames and Hoskins suggest you don’t follow the Brewers that closely. Any return they would get for two months of Adames would probably be less valuable than the comp pick they will get when he walks in free agency, and Hoskins is highly unlikely to opt out given the season he’s had.
The Brewers will get a supplemental draft pick if Hoskins opts out, they’ll put a QO on him and if/when he signs a guaranteed deal worth more than 50mil total the brewers get a draft pick right after the fist round, they’ll also get the same with/from Adames if/when he leaves so it’s not going to be a complete loss, there’s a TON of value in essentially having three first round draft picks, that equates to a whole lot of draft pool money..
You won’t get 2 picks for Hoskins. If they offer him a QO offer and somebody signs him you’ll get a pick based on how much he signs for. You won’t get 2. You might get another supplemental draft pick just for being the Brewers but they won’t be connected. Does anybody know if the Phillies ever offered Hoskins a QO offer before? I don’t. You can only be tagged once in your life so that might not even be possible.
yea I thought of that. But a couple mid range prospects (arms) would be better.
Brewers aren’t any team. Been a fan since 1970. Still celebrating the bridesmaid in 1982
Im not ga ga about winning the NL Central like most other fanboys.
From MLBTR earlier in the year – prediction could change.
Rhys Hoskins (32): Can opt out of final year and $18MM on two-year guarantee
Hoskins inked a two-year, $34MM deal with the Brewers after losing all of 2023 to an ACL tear. He landed in a favorable hitting environment in Milwaukee with a chance to prove he was back to his typical offensive form. Hoskins has done just that over the season’s first two months, connecting on 10 homers with a .243/.345/.486 line through 168 trips. He’s well on his way to opting out and would be one of the top offensive players in next year’s free agent class. The Brewers could make him a qualifying offer
OK. Thanks for the update. But I’m just guessing and I’ll admit I have no idea how the compensation pick works other than it’s based mostly on the salary paid to the QO player. But at 32 I’m just guessing it’s not a long term deal or for a lot of money so I’m just guessing that pick would be more like 3rd round territory. But again I don’t pretend to know the mysterious ways of MLB rules or draft compensation.
His stats now I would be surprised he opts out. He hasn’t done much since. 4 months in now at 15 HRs I’m afraid they will get stuck with him next season. The reason I say try to trade him.
Sellers? A team in first place. Makes no sense!
Lot of good, small market teams are at their payroll limits, whether that’s an owner just being cheap or legit the numbers don’t add up. The RSN fiasco is playing a big role. These teams are all gonna try and sell and buy at the same time, and cheap vets are gonna command a bigger trade price than better, but expensive ones.
Yes because winning the NL central means so much. Out in the first round.
Are you afraid to compete? The whole point of, you know, playing these games is to win a championship. Somewhere along the way that is being lost on a lot of people these days. Prospects are cool, but what’s cooler is watching your team fight in October.
exactly which the Brewers don’t do. STill celebrating the bridesmaid in ’82.
Afraid to compete? Heck no but this team is not a championship caliber team. Not even the NL championship
Don’t understand why Brewers up 7 games, not any better than other clubs in division. They’ve been playing above their heads most of year.Whom evers pitching holds up should win division. Pirates have best starters just young. Brewer’s need to load up with pitching a trade dead line.
You had me until the sellers comment. What a silly thing to say about a team 5 up in the division.
Long term not to win NL Central “world series” like the Brewers fans are accustom too.
Drain Bramage?
Just lit one of those off the other night!
That was for the guy who said the Brewers should sell from 1st place. But it got moved down.
You been brain washed accepting the NL Central championship. That’s OK I get it.
I don’t think you get it. Just my opinion of course.
yes it is. Those are like ……………………………..as the saying goes.
While Milwaukee could really use a playoffish caliber SP, a power bat is only slightly behind that now, with relief a distant 3rd.
They are 21st in AB/HR, and that’s after an April where they were slugging well. Stringing 3-4 hits together in an inning isn’t a sustainable model.
OH they only need 3 players to advance in the playoffs. So trade what for a “playoffish caliber pitcher” That won’t cost them much. LOL
Bullpen is not the issue, especially with Williams about to return. DL Hall and Joe Ross also coming back, the question is whether either one can add rotation depth vs. trading for another starter. That power bat looks like the biggest need right now.
The bullpen was used a lot first half. I do like Ross, Hall, and Williams coming. But the starters need to go deeper.
If only there was something Yelich could inject into himself where he could become stronger and recover faster
Barry’s on line 1
Ryan Braun is on line 1.
Yelich?? Injured again?? Imagine my shock!
Amazing how much his power dropped after Braun retired
Or after he broke his kneecap and started having back issues. Stupid comment
I can’t stand the Brewers but I never want to see anyone get hurt. Back injuries are no joke. I’ve had major back issues myself. Hope Yelich doesn’t need back surgery.
Yelich’s career reminds me of that of Don Mattingly, who also suffered with back injuries. Once you have a back problem, it is always liable to return. Mattingly’s performances, especially his power, was never the same after he got hurt. Yelich has been very good this year and regained his power after a couple years of being just average. Now, he faces back surgery, never a good happening even for the average person. Good luck, Christian. Enjoyed watching you play.
Reminds me of Grady Sizemore, injuries zapping up n comin superstars. Bummer !
The article is so depressing had to stop reading it
That is rough. Back injuries suck.
Hopefully they can give him DH/1st Base time when he gets back. Not sure if 1st will be easier with the occasional dive but at least he wouldn’t have to run fly balls down anymore. Shame to see one of the games top hitters go through this especially after all he’s done to get back to the success he’s shown this year
This has been talked about for at least 3 years now-the 1st base thing. I have to think either the team wants no part of that, Yelich doesn’t, or both. I’m leaning towards him being against it.
Then again, I can’t recall anyone except mlbtr and FB page commentors talking about it, so it’s possible the idea hasn’t been discussed at all within the clubhouse. Bottom line I don’t see it happening, especially during the season.
The DH thing makes sense, what with enough depth to cover the OF. Just need to fit Contreras in at DH about once a week, and plug in whoever at 1B game to game.