Christian Yelich Should Be Ready For Spring Training
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) hasn't resumed swinging a bat yet, but he's doing other baseball movements and should be ready to go early in spring training. "I think that was a big part of why he had the surgery sooner than later," general manager Matt Arnold said. "He's in a really good spot right now." Yelich's 2024 season ended early when he decided to have a microdiscectomy procedure to fix a herniated disc in his lower back. It's an injury that the 33-year-old veteran has dealt with for years, so the hope is that the surgery will alleviate those concerns moving forward. Although he only played in 73 games in 2024, Yelich made his third All-Star squad by hitting .315/.406/.504 with a .909 OPS, 11 homers, 42 RBI and 21 steals in 315 plate appearances. Yelich could be a league-winner if he can return to his MVP production, but his health is a big question mark.
Christian Yelich Out Three Months After Microdiscectomy
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) said he underwent a microdiscectomy and said he'll have a rough timeline of three months. By the time Yelich and the Brewers had decided in the surgical route, the pain was impacting his day-to-day life, not just baseball activity. He thinks the surgery will help alleviate the chronic back issues he's dealt with for years. "I think everybody sees back surgery, and they kind of are like, 'Oh, that's the end of your career.' Honestly, in my mind, that couldn't be any farther from the truth. I think that it's going to help me tremendously. I think I'll probably feel a lot better than I have in the last few years going forward, so in that sense, it's cool," Yelich said. The 32-year-old should be ready for the start of spring training, but fantasy managers are going to be hesitant to pull the trigger on an aging outfielder coming off a serious back surgery.
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) will undergo season-ending surgery on Friday. Yelich had been attempting a non-surgical comeback from lower-back inflammation, but he's instead opted to have a procedure as treatment for the injury. It's a tough break for fantasy managers and the first-place Brewers, who had both been hoping to get him back into the mix for the stretch run this season. Yelich expects to be healthy in time for the 2025 campaign. The 32-year-old All-Star left fielder's year ends after he slashed an outstanding .315/.406/.504 with 11 home runs, 42 RBI, 44 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases over 315 plate appearances. Sal Frelick and Garrett Mitchell should handle consistent at-bats in Milwaukee's outfield against right-handed pitching the rest of the way.
Christian Yelich Chooses Rest And Rehab Over Surgery
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) intends to rest and rehab his injured back rather than undergo surgery that would have been season-ending, according to a source. However, offseason surgery is a strong possibility. Yelich was placed on the 10-day injured list with more lower-back issues on Wednesday and is out for the foreseeable future, considering this is the second time he's been on the IL this year due to back issues. The three-time All-Star will rest his back for now, but it doesn't guarantee that he won't eventually elect for surgery before the end of the 2024 season. The 32-year-old needs to be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues for the time being as long as he still plans on returning this year. Until he's able to return, Blake Perkins and Gary Sanchez could see more playing time with Yelich out of action.
Season-Ending Back Surgery On The Table For Christian Yelich
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) will see a spine specialist on Thursday to discuss his next steps, including the possibility of season-ending back surgery. Yelich was put on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday for the second time this year due to lower-back inflammation, but the 32-year-old veteran has had back issues beyond just this season. Until we know for sure that Yelich won't play again in 2024, fantasy managers will need to keep him stashed. Losing him for the rest of the year would be a huge blow to the Brew Crew, as he is hitting .315/.406/.504 with a .909 OPS, 11 homers, 42 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 270 at-bats. Now that Yelich is out for the foreseeable future and potentially the rest of the year, catcher Gary Sanchez (calf), who returned from the IL on Wednesday, figures to see most of the at-bats as the designated hitter moving forward.
The Milwaukee Brewers placed outfielder Christian Yelich (back) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with lower-back inflammation and reinstated catcher Gary Sanchez (calf) from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. It will be the second time this year that Yelich has had to go on the IL for a back issue, which is very concerning for the Brewers and fantasy managers. He was removed from Tuesday night's win early against the division-rival Chicago Cubs and is most likely going to need more than 10 days to recover. It wouldn't be a surprise if the 32-year-old is forced to miss significant time in the second half. Although Sanchez isn't starting in the series finale on Wednesday against the Cubbies, the veteran catcher figures to see most of the designated hitter at-bats for the Brew Crew now that Yelich is sidelined.
Christian Yelich Leaves Early Tuesday With Back Tightness
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) left Tuesday's 1-0 win over the division-rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field early with back tightness, according to the team. Yelich went 0-for-1 with two walks in the contest before departing and was replaced as the designated hitter by first baseman Rhys Hoskins. The 32-year-old veteran left-handed-hitting outfielder has a long history with back injuries, so this definitely isn't what the Brewers or fantasy managers want to see. He was already on the injured list once this year with a lower-back strain. Don't expect to see Yelich in the lineup on Wednesday, and fantasy managers should prepare for another potential trip to the IL. If Yelich misses extended time with his latest back issue, look for both Blake Perkins and Jake Bauers to potentially see more opportunities as Milwaukee's DH.
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich is not in the starting lineup on Sunday as the Brewers look to sweep the two-game set against the Minnesota Twins. The 32-year-old has been out of the lineup once over the past 54 games. As a result, Garrett Mitchell will slot into the outfield and bat the seven-hole. Yelich has posted an excellent .320/.405/.511 line with 11 home runs, 21 stolen bases, and a 37:57 BB:K ratio across 71 games this season. Under the hood, Yelich holds a .300 xBA and a .485 xSLG which place him near the top among all qualified hitters. Garrett Mitchell could be a sneaky play in DFS this afternoon as he will face Minnesota right-hander Joe Ryan, who has allowed a 6.55 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP across his past two starts.
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich continued his fantastic season against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. Yelich kicked off the scoring with a two-run blast in the fourth inning. That started the fire in what would be a three-hit performance for Yelich. He finished the day 3-for-4 with a homer, double, three runs scored, and three RBI in the win. Yelich is having an outstanding season in the middle of the order. He's slashing .329/.407/.533 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI with 19 stolen bases this season. Fantasy managers who took a chance on Yelich are certainly being rewarded.
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich had a huge night in a 12-5 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday. Yelich went 5-for-6 with two doubles, one run, five RBI, and a stolen base in the lopsided victory over the Sox. Most of his run production came via a two-run single in the fourth inning and a two-run double in the seventh. The veteran outfielder is putting together a productive season for the Brewers, hitting .325 with six doubles, six homers, 21 runs, 27 RBI, and eight steals across 117 at-bats thus far. Yelich should continue to be locked into fantasy lineups moving forward.
Christian Yelich
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Brewers
