Christian Yelich Faces Season-Ending Back Surgery
Milwaukee Brewers' star outfielder, Christian Yelich, will miss the remainder of the 2024 MLB season due to an upcoming back surgery. The procedure, scheduled for Friday, will be performed by Dr. Brandon Rebholz. Yelich's announcement came on Thursday, putting an official end to a season that held significant promise for the 31-year-old athlete.
Yelich, who has dealt with persistent back issues throughout much of his career, last took the field on July 23. Despite battling lower back inflammation, his 2024 season was noteworthy. Over 73 games, he achieved an impressive .315/.406/.504 slash line, hit 11 home runs, and stole 21 bases. These statistics contributed to a remarkable 152 OPS+ for Yelich before the injury.
"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."
Yelich’s exceptional performance was a key highlight in a bounce-back season for both himself and the Brewers. His absence will be a significant loss for the team, which had hoped to bolster their lineup with another left-handed hitter before the July 30 trade deadline. However, those efforts proved unsuccessful.
In the interim, the Brewers have been relying on their roster depth. The current lineup includes left-handed hitters such as Jake Bauers, Tyler Black, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, and Brice Turang. Since Yelich's injury, the team has managed to sustain an 11-9 record, further securing their robust position in the league.
As of now, the Brewers boast a 69-52 record and hold a nine-game lead in the NL Central, the largest division lead in baseball.
"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 shared. "However, I have the utmost confidence in my teammates and will be cheering them on with all of you, the great fans of Milwaukee." He added, "Thank you for all your support. Go Brewers!"
This surgery marks another chapter in Yelich's battle with ongoing back problems. This year is the fifth of his nine-year, $215 million contract extension signed in March 2020. Yelich is set to earn $26 million annually from 2025 to 2028, with a $20 million mutual option for 2029. Despite his offensive prowess, his defensive metrics have rated him as below average in recent years.
Looking ahead, the Brewers' deep roster and strong standings suggest a team prepared to face the challenge without Yelich. His return, hopefully rejuvenated and back to full strength, will be eagerly anticipated next season.