Milwaukee Brewers' standout 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 both Yelich and the Brewers, shedding light on the ongoing back issues that have plagued much of his career.
"After careful consideration and consultation with medical personnel, I have decided to undergo season-ending back surgery," Yelich stated. "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."
The upcoming procedure, to be performed by Dr. Brandon Rebholz, comes after Yelich's latest bout with lower back inflammation that has sidelined him since July 23. Before his injury, Yelich was having a remarkable season, hitting .315/.406/.504 with 11 home runs and 21 stolen bases over 73 games. His performance translated to an impressive 152 OPS+, indicating a significant bounce back in form.
"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."
The Brewers' regular lineup, featuring left-handed hitters such as Jake Bauers, Tyler Black, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, and Brice Turang, will now need to fill the void left by Yelich. The team had attempted to secure a left-handed hitter to replace Yelich before the July 30 trade deadline but were unsuccessful.
Despite Yelich's absence, the Brewers have managed an 11-9 record, maintaining an overall standing of 69-52, leading the NL Central by nine games, which is the largest division lead in baseball. This speaks to the depth and resilience of the Brewers' roster.
Yelich's history of back problems is well-documented. This year marks the middle point of the nine-year, $215 million contract extension he signed in March 2020. Under this contract, he stands to earn $26 million annually from 2025 to 2028, with a $20 million mutual option for 2029. His defensive metrics, however, have graded him out as below average in recent times, intensifying the need for the surgery to extend his playing career.
With Yelich's notable contribution sidelined, the Brewers will press on, relying on their current roster to weather the storm and maintain their strong position as they eye postseason success. Yelich remains optimistic about his recovery and future with the team.
"Thank you for all your support. Go Brewers!" Yelich added, expressing his gratitude and camaraderie with the fans and his team.
The Brewers now look forward to continuing their impressive season, buoyed by the confidence and spirit of their sidelined star. All eyes will be on their ability to sustain momentum and perform without one of their key players.