Christian Yelich injury: The Brewers All-Star will undergo season-ending back surgery and is expected to be 100% fit again in 2025

The Milwaukee Brewers will be without All-Star outfielder Christian Yelich for the remainder of 2024. On Thursday, Yelich and the Brewers announced that he will undergo season-ending back surgery on Friday, performed by Dr. Brandon Rebholz. He has not played since July 23 and has initially been trying to rehab his injury. Yelich expects to be fit for next season.

“After careful consideration and consultation with the medical staff, I have decided to undergo season-ending back surgery for me,” Yelich said in a statement. “I ultimately felt it was in my best interest and the Brewers' best interest to have the surgery with the expectation of being back at 100% next season. We have a very special team here and it will be disappointing to not be able to participate on the field in the final stretch. However, I have complete confidence in my teammates and will be cheering them on along with all of you, the great fans of Milwaukee. Thank you for all your support. Go Brewers!”

Officially, Yelich is on the injured list because he has a back infection, according to the Brewers. He saw a spine specialist last month and opted for non-surgical treatment, but his back has not improved enough through rehab, so he will undergo surgery.

Yelich, 32, has a history of back injuries and occasionally misses a game or two when it flares up. He has been on the injured list six times in his major league career because of back problems, including four since 2021. Before going on the injured list, Yelich played each of his final seven games as a DH. It was clear he and the Brewers were trying to work through an injury.

The injury ended a great comeback season for Yelich, who hit .315/.406/.504 with 11 home runs and 21 stolen bases in 73 games. That works out to an OPS+ of 152, meaning Yelich was 52% better than the league's average hitter when adjusting for stadium and other factors. From 2020-2023, he posted an OPS+ of 111, which is very good but not elite.

Without Yelich, the Brewers lack a powerful left-handed hitter. They have several left-handed hitters in their starting lineup – Jake Bauers, Tyler Black, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, Brice Turang – although that five-man lineup is .243/.322/.354 in 2024. Milwaukee looked for a left-handed hitter to replace Yelich at the July 30 trade deadline, but came up empty.

The Brewers have relied on rookies Jackson Chourio, Mitchell and Frelick as their regular outfield from left to right since Yelich's injury, and that's an explosive defensive group. At this point in his career, Yelich is considered a below-average defender. His injury has significantly hurt Milwaukee's offense, but has also significantly improved their defense.

Thursday's win (MIL 6, LAD 4) improved the Brewers' record to 11-9 since Yelich last played. They are 69-52 overall and have a nine-game lead in the NL Central — the largest division lead in baseball — and are well positioned to return to the postseason.

This is the fifth year of the nine-year, $215 million contract extension that Yelich signed in March 2020. He is entitled to $26 million annually from 2025 to 2028. The contract also includes a mutual option for $20 million for 2029.