This Milwaukee Breweries clinched the season series against Craig Counsell’s Chicago Cubs with a 1-0 victory at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night. At 58-43, the Brewers have a five-point lead over the St. Louis Cardinals for first place in the National League Central Division. The Cubs are 49-54 and tied for last in the division with the Cincinnati Reds.
Unfortunately, the win apparently cost the Brewers a lot of money. Outfielder Christian Yelich was pulled from the game in favor of pinch-hitter Rhys Hoskins overdue in the game. He had been struggling with a sore back for some time.
On Wednesday, the Brewers made the expected, if disappointing, decision to place Yelich on the injured list for the second time this season.
Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich is back on the injured list
The Brewers announced Wednesday morning that they were activating catcher Gary Sanchez from the 10-day injured list. He had previously suffered a hamstring strain that landed him on the injured list.
In a corresponding move, the Brewers added Yelich to the 10-day IL list:
C Gary Sánchez returned from the 10-day injured list.
OF Christian Yelich was placed on the 10-day injured list with lower back inflammation. photo:twitter.com/CgRzFlxE6h
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 24, 2024
According to Brewers insider Curt Hogg, this may not be a miniature stint for Yelich. Hogg notes that the three-time All-Star used some ominous language when discussing how he and the team plan to approach his recovery:
Christian Yelich is heading to the IL. He will meet with a specialist in the coming days to determine what happens next.
“Let’s move forward with what’s best for the immediate future and the future. I think there are a few different discussions that need to be had.”
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) July 24, 2024
From what I hear, Yelich seems to have a very stern back issue. Mentioning both the short-term and long-term ramifications of their decision could indicate that surgery is on the table. Such a move would certainly end his 2023 season.
Milwaukee Brewers slugger Christian Yelich enjoyed a renaissance season
Yelich quickly became a star in Milwaukee during his first season with the Brewers, hitting .326/.402/.598 with 36 home runs and 110 RBIs en route to winning the National League MVP award in 2018. The following year, he hit .329/.429/.679 with 44 home runs and 98 RBIs, finishing second in MVP voting.
He won the NL batting title in both seasons.
Unfortunately, his 2019 season was cut miniature when a ball deflected off his kneecap and shattered it.
From 2020-23, Yelich didn’t come close to the MVP-caliber player he was in his first two seasons in Milwaukee, slashing just .254/.362/.407 while averaging 14 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases per season.
This year, however, the Yelich of aged is back, albeit with lower power numbers. He currently leads the NL in both batting average and on-base percentage, slashing .315/.406/.504 with 11 home runs, 42 RBI, and 21 stolen bases.
Losing Yelich for any length of time is certainly a blow to the team, but losing him for the rest of the year could have an impact on what the team decides to do on the final day of the transfer season.
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