Milwaukee Brewers' star 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 as they pursue their postseason ambitions.
Yelich, who has been dealing with persistent back issues throughout much of his career, last played on July 23. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Brandon Rebholz, as Yelich aims to put these ongoing problems behind him once and for all.
“After careful consideration and consultation with medical personnel, I have decided to undergo season-ending back surgery," Yelich said. "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."
This unfortunate development comes during a season where Yelich was enjoying a remarkable resurgence. Before his injury, he posted a stellar .315/.406/.504 slash line, along with 11 home runs and 21 stolen bases over 73 games. These impressive numbers translated to a 152 OPS+, underscoring his importance to the team’s offense.
Despite Yelich’s absence since late July, the Brewers have managed to maintain a respectable 11-9 record. Their current overall standing is 69-52, giving them a commanding nine-game lead in the NL Central—the largest division lead in baseball. The team's deep roster, which includes left-handed hitters like Jake Bauers, Tyler Black, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, and Brice Turang, has played a crucial role in their continued success.
The Brewers attempted to secure another left-handed hitter to replace Yelich before the July 30 trade deadline but were ultimately unsuccessful. Nevertheless, the team has shown resilience, and Yelich remains optimistic about their prospects.
“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."
Yelich’s battle with back problems is not new. He has been grappling with lower back inflammation since July and has a long history of back issues. This year marks the fifth of the nine-year, $215 million contract extension he signed in March 2020. Yelich is set to earn $26 million annually from 2025 to 2028, with his contract including a $20 million mutual option for 2029.
While Yelich’s defensive metrics have graded out below average at this stage of his career, his offensive prowess remains vital. The Brewers’ ability to adapt without their star outfielder will be closely watched as the season progresses.
The Brewers’ management and fans are hopeful that Yelich will make a full recovery and return stronger next season. As the team looks to solidify their playoff position, Yelich’s presence and leadership will be missed both on and off the field.
"Thank you for all your support. Go Brewers!" Yelich concluded.
With Yelich’s surgery on the horizon, the Brewers will have to navigate the remainder of the season without one of their key players. However, the combination of a solid team effort and strategic management puts them in a strong position to overcome this adversity and make a deep postseason run.