Yelich, who has been out since late July with a recurring back issue, opts for surgery but expects to be 100% for 2025
Brewers star outfielder Christian Yelich has announced via his social media accounts that he has opted to undergo season-ending back surgery this Friday.
Christian Yelich will undergo season-ending back surgery tomorrow in Milwaukee, performed by Dr. Brandon Rebholz. https://t.co/SiHT1jrDpJ pic.twitter.com/YsXlAz54QY
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) August 15, 2024
Yelich, 33 in December, has dealt with nagging back injuries for several years, including an IL stint earlier this season. He went 0-for-9 with three walks in three games out of the All-Star break before once again heading to the injured list on July 24.
“It wasn’t getting better. I tried everything I could. I ran out of options and it came time to make a decision,” Yelich said in the video. “It just was the best option we had left. It sucks.”
The three-time All-Star and 2018 NL MVP winner hit .315/.406/.504 with 11 homers, 42 RBIs, 21 steals, and 44 runs in 73 games this season in what was his best offensive season since finishing second in NL MVP voting in 2019.
The Brewers will have to rely on some of their younger bats down the stretch, especially the quartet of young outfielders in Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick, and Blake Perkins, who himself is on his way back from an injury.
Yelich, who said he expects to be 100% before the 2025 campaign, joins pitchers Robert Gasser, Wade Miley, and Brandon Woodruff in the season-ending injury camp.