Milwaukee Brewers' outfielder Christian Yelich will miss the remainder of the 2024 MLB season due to a season-ending back surgery scheduled for Friday. The announcement came on Thursday from Yelich and the Brewers, marking a significant setback for the team.
Yelich has been battling persistent back issues that have plagued much of his career. His latest bout of lower back inflammation has kept him out of action since July 23. The decision to undergo surgery was made after careful consideration and consultation with medical personnel. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Brandon Rebholz.
"After careful consideration and consultation with medical personnel, I have decided to undergo season-ending back surgery," Yelich announced. "I ultimately felt it was in the best interest of myself and the Brewers to have the surgery with the expectation of being back at 100% for next season."
Before his injury sidelined him, Yelich was enjoying a remarkable bounceback season, posting a .315/.406/.504 slash line, with 11 home runs and 21 stolen bases over 73 games. His performance translated to a 152 OPS+, signaling his resurgence as one of the league's top offensive players.
Despite Yelich's absence, the Brewers have managed to stay competitive, boasting a commendable 11-9 record since his injury. The team's current overall standing is 69-52, giving them a nine-game lead in the NL Central. This division lead stands as the largest in baseball, showcasing the Brewers' resilience and depth.
The team's regular lineup includes other talented left-handed hitters such as Jake Bauers, Tyler Black, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, and Brice Turang. The Brewers attempted to secure an additional left-handed hitter to replace Yelich before the July 30 trade deadline but were unsuccessful.
Yelich, who last played on July 23, is in the fifth year of a nine-year, $215 million contract extension he signed in March 2020. He stands to earn $26 million annually from 2025 to 2028, with a $20 million mutual option for 2029. Despite his defensive metrics grading him out as below average at this point in his career, his offensive production and leadership are invaluable to the team.
"We have a very special team here and it will be disappointing not to be able to contribute on the field down the stretch," Yelich expressed. "However, I have the utmost confidence in my teammates and will be cheering them on with all of you, the great fans of Milwaukee. Thank you for all your support. Go Brewers!"
The Brewers' deep roster and their current standings suggest they are prepared to tackle the challenge without Yelich. The team has shown it can continue to perform at a high level even in the absence of one of its star players. Yelich's health and future contributions remain a priority, with the expectation that he will return at full strength next season.