Yesterday, the possibility was raised that Brewers outfielder/designated hitter Christian Yelich could be facing season-ending back surgery. That scenario seems to be off the table at the moment, with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reporting on X that Yelich will attempt rest and rehab for now, but with surgery in the offseason still “a strong possibility.”
The Brewers placed their star and former MVP on the 10-day injured list yesterday with lower back inflammation. It was reported at the time that the 32-year-old would be seeing a spine specialist today with season-ending surgery a possibility, though it seems the specialist gave Yelich some hope of returning this season.
The lower back has been an ongoing problem for Yelich, as he went on the IL due to issues in that part of his body in 2014, 2015, 2021 and now again in 2024. “I’ve dealt with it a lot during my career,” Yelich said yesterday, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com on X. “I feel like it’s kind of affected me in a negative way at times. I’ve been able to play at a high level but it’s one of those things that’s held be back a little, so that’s where it’s frustrating. What are you going to do? But also, though, there’s a potential that I can finally get on the other side of this, finally, when all is said and done. We’ll see. It remains to be seen, I guess.”
Based on those words from Yelich, it seems as though there’s some belief that the surgery could put the issue behind him for good. Even if that is the case, it’s understandable why he would try to delay it, at least for a few months. The Brewers are currently 59-43 and have a six-game lead over the Cardinals in the National League Central. Given the club’s circumstances, it’s understandable that he would want to pursue a chance of coming back for the stretch run and then the playoffs.
Even when not 100% healthy, he’s often the best player on the field when he’s out there. He won National League MVP in 2018 and was roughly as good in 2019. Over those two seasons, he hit 80 home runs and slashed .327/.415/.631 for a wRC+ of 170. He also stole 52 bases and played all three outfield positions. He racked up a massive 14.2 wins above replacement in that two-year stretch, per FanGraphs.
He then had a bit of a dip in 2020 and 2021, hitting .234/.360/.392 in that time for a 106 wRC+, but he’s been on an upward trend since then. His wRC+ jumped to 111 in 2022 and 122 last year, before getting all the way to 155 here in 2024. He’s hit 11 home runs and is drawing walks in 12.7% of his plate appearances, leading to a .315/.406/.504 batting line. He’s swiped 21 bags as well.
Getting that kind of production back in the lineup later in the year will obviously be a priority for the Brewers. For now, they have an outfield mix consisting of Sal Frelick, Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell and Blake Perkins. The designated hitter slot can be shared between Rhys Hoskins, Gary Sánchez and others.
Even if he is able to return this year, it’s still possible he’ll have to go under the knife later. Whether that impacts his offseason or his 2025 campaign remains to be seen. His deal with the Brewers runs through 2028 with a mutual option for 2029.
Team player. Take note, Crochet
And yes, I know the circumstances are different.
They’re so different as to make your point, well, pointless
Well said
I hurt my back when I was in the military in 1976. The pain lingered for 20 years until it became so bad, surgery on the #5 lumbar was necessary
After another 25 or so years, my back continues to flare up from time to time
In hindsight, it would have been beneficial to have the surgery years earlier
Larry Bird was never the same when his back issues hit. Not trying to be morbid, but enjoy Yelich while you can, Brewers fans. Back injuries are a bad scene.
Hopefully Yelich doesn’t end up like David Wright.
For a baseball comp, Todd Helton was a shadow of his former self the last 5 years or so of his career after his back became a problem.
Back issues are forever….
My father, mother, and grandmother will attest to that.
I’m sorry to hear that. I think it’s just a hard part of the body for doctors to help with.
Back problems. 🙁
I’d first try the option that avoided back surgery too
Speaking as someone who had a microdiscectomy in February, it was easily the best decision I’ve ever made health wise. Had nagging back issues for the better part of a decade. It would act up, then get mostly better but never more than about 80% of normal. Then one day I woke up and couldn’t barely walk and went to the ER. Found out I had 2 herniated discs in the MRI. Had surgery about 2 weeks after that, and was back on the golf course 3 months later. Other than some numbness in my foot from the nerve damage resulting from not taking care of it sooner, I feel like I’m finally back to 100% health.
I wonder if he’s still going to be hitting well after this back surgery but I think this is better than missing this season with the brewers in the driver seat on the highway to October
Brewers going to need to add a bat in the lineup somewhere. Cannot count on rbi production from frelick, Mitchell, Perkins or Ortiz who is slumping badly. Maybe a 1st-3rd base type player
The problem for the Brew Crew is power. Can they hold off the Cards and Pirates, probably not with the current roster. It will be a dog fight. How beneficial will a hurt Yelich be? Good for him for trying, but in the past he hasn’t been very good when hurt.
Hey Yelich, try this
floatmilwaukee.com/
or
floatoasisspa.com/
Or buy one of the float tanks.
This is the one I own. superiorfloattanks.com/evolution-float-pod/evoluti…
Your back will thank you.
Does it improve athletic performance?
The various effects of sensory deprivation tank therapy on athletic performance are well documented. It has been found effective in speeding up recovery after strenuous physical training by decreasing blood lactate in a study of 24 college students.
A 2016 study of 60 elite athletes also found it improved psychological recovery following intense training and competition.
sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211266…
How long is recovery? I’ve been recovering from back issues and it’s been almost 2 years. I go in for a stimulation implant Tuesday. It’s never what they say when it comes to the back.
How has this site said nothing about Trout?
MLB Trout Rumors should be all over that
What should they say?
“Former star player is hurt again, no expectation for future success”
I feel like Jonathan Heasley’s release getting its own post warrants a Trout injury update post. Just sayin
It is odd that they wouldn’t report it though.
Most times of year it probably would get a mention here but there’s so much else going on right now.
He then took “a bit of a dip”? I’d say it was more like “a massive decline” after those unreal seasons in 18 & 19.
That knee injury in his surreal 2019 season set him back the following seasons.
Attempting non-surgical treatment is not comforting.
ATTENTION KRIS BRYANT!!!! This is how you man up. Just sayin’
Bryant has dehydrated discs, arthritis, and bone spurs in his lower back. He could probably medically retire if he wanted to.
Gotta try something….surgery after the season seems the reasonable approach. Since the break he’s been totally ineffectual. You should never play in the All Star game.
Rub some dirt on it. Sucking it up to get back out there. That’s ol school. Good luck Yelich.
Back and neck surgeries are very dangerous been there done it with the best on east coast. All I’m going to say is MLB needs to work with CPI and get these players using stem cell rehab. If my disc’s go down hill in the future I’ll be researching them and the other 2 that do what the US won’t and it works.