Milwaukee Brewers All-Star outfielder Christian Yelich will have back surgery Friday that will end his season.
“After careful consideration and consultation with medical personnel, I have decided to undergo season-ending back surgery,” Yelich said in a statement released by the team. “I ultimately felt it was in the best interest of myself and the Brewers to have surgery with the expectation of being back at 100% for next season.
“We have a very special team here and it will be disappointing not to be able to contribute on the field down the stretch. However, I have the utmost confidence in my teammates and will be cheering them on with all of you, the great friends of Milwaukee. Thank you for all your support. Go Brewers!”
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, 32, was hopeful that rest and rehab would allow him to return this season for the Brewers, who at 69-52 hold a nine-game lead in the National League Central. The Brewers placed him on the injured list on July 24; his back also caused him to miss almost a month earlier this season.
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The 2018 NL MVP made the All-Star team this season for the first time since 2019 and batted .315 this season with a 152 OPS+ and 21 stolen bases in 22 attempts.
Yelich will make $26 million in each of the next four years. He signed a nine-year, $215 million extension with the Brewers before the 2020 season.
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(Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Images)
