Less than 24 hours after being placed on the 10-day injured list, All-Star outfielder Christian Yelich appears intent on returning for the 2024 campaign.
The Milwaukee Brewer saw a spine specialist on Thursday in regard to a nagging back injury and is reportedly choosing to rest and rehab instead of opting for season-ending surgery, according to the Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
“Everybody plays through stuff, but sometimes, you just can’t,” Yelich said. “That’s kind of where we’re at at this point. Your body won’t cooperate with you. For me, aside from when I broke my knee, this has been the one thing that I’ve had to deal with. It’s frustrating. I’ve dealt with it a lot during my career.”
Yelich’s back has been bothering him for weeks and worsened in recent days. The move to the injured list comes one day after he exited a game against the Chicago Cubs.
The 32-year-old has been on top form for the NL Central-leading Brewers, earning a third All-Star nod while leading the National League in batting average (.315) and on-base percentage (.406). Yelich also has 11 home runs, 42 RBIs and 21 steals through 73 games this season.
But he has gone 0 for 9 since the All-Star break and is 1 for 19 over his last six games. He was 0 for 1 with two walks in the 1-0 victory over the Cubs on Tuesday before getting removed for a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.
“I was doing nobody any good out there,” Yelich said. “I kind of just decided that there were big at-bats late in the game, I was definitely not the right person to do that. Being stubborn and going out there wasn’t gonna do anybody any good.”
Asked how concerned he is that Yelich may not return this season, manager Pat Murphy said: “Worry is kind of a waste of time, so I’m trying to not worry. You really end up wasting time worrying. Just get busy, get busy living.”
“He’s been an offensive machine, the attitude he brings,” Murphy continued. “He tried like heck to play injured for a while. Hopefully, we can get him back.”
The 59-43 Brewers look to build upon a two-game win streak, even without Yelich, as they return to action on Friday, hosting the Miami Marlins for a three-game set.
— With files from the Associated Press
