Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich is determined to avoid surgery as he works to recover from the lower back inflammation that recently landed him on the injured list.
“I’ve been managing back issues for a while and have found ways to keep playing through it,” Yelich said Thursday before his annual charity event benefiting veterans and the Milwaukee community. “We’re developing a solid plan to rehab and get me back on the field as soon as possible. The timeline is uncertain, but I’m aiming to return as quickly as I can.”
Yelich has experienced recurring back problems over the past few seasons. Despite making his third All-Star appearance this year, he has struggled with back pain, which also caused him to miss about a month earlier in the season due to a lower back strain. Recently, he was substituted as a pinch hitter during a tight 1-0 win over the Chicago Cubs and subsequently rejoined the injured list the following day.
Since the All-Star break, Yelich has struggled at the plate, going 0 for 9 and 1 for 19 in his last six games, exacerbated by his back pain. Yelich admitted, “Everyone plays through injuries, but sometimes it becomes too challenging,” highlighting the severity of his current situation.
Yelich consulted with a specialist on Thursday morning to discuss his recovery strategy. “I want to be the best I can be this season and in the future, so it’s crucial to address this issue and get back on the field as much as possible,” he added.
Despite these challenges, Yelich has been a vital contributor to the Brewers, helping them lead the NL Central even after the offseason departures of 2021 Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes and manager Craig Counsell. The 32-year-old boasts a .315 batting average, a .406 on-base percentage, 11 home runs, 42 RBIs, and 21 steals in 73 games.
