Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich announced on Thursday that he will undergo season-ending back surgery. The decision comes after the Brewers’ 6-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking a significant setback for the team and the player, who was enjoying a resurgence this 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.”
Yelich, 32, has been sidelined since July 24 due to lower back inflammation, with Brewers manager Pat Murphy also noting that a nerve issue was involved. Initially, Yelich aimed to avoid surgery and hoped to recover through rest and rehabilitation after consulting with a spine specialist. However, the condition did not improve as hoped.
In a video posted on social media, Yelich addressed fans directly, explaining the reasoning behind his decision. “It just got to the point where it wasn’t getting better, tried everything I could, ran out of options, and it came time to make a decision,” Yelich said, confirming that the surgery is scheduled for Friday. “It was the best option that we really had left. It sucks. There’s really no other way to put it, other than it sucks,” he added. “It’s terrible, but it’s a part of sports. These things happen. You get hurt, you get fixed, and you get back out there. Try to stay as positive as possible about it.”
This season had marked Yelich’s best performance since 2019, when he was one of Major League Baseball’s standout players, having won the National League MVP award in 2018. Before his injury, Yelich was batting .315 with a .909 OPS, 12 doubles, 11 home runs, 42 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases. He also led the All-Star voting among National League outfielders this year.
Unfortunately, Yelich was limited to just 73 games, having missed 22 games earlier in the season due to a lower back strain. Despite these setbacks, Yelich remained optimistic about his future. Shortly after being placed on the injured list, he reassured reporters that his back injury would not threaten his career, dismissing rumors to the contrary. “Next year’s not in jeopardy. My career is not in jeopardy,” Yelich said, according to MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy. “There’s a lot of wild [stuff] out there.”
Yelich is under contract with the Brewers for four more seasons, totaling $88 million, with a $20 million mutual option for 2029, according to Spotrac. As he undergoes surgery, the Brewers and their fans will look forward to his return next season, hoping he can once again be a key contributor to the team’s success.