Christian

Yelich

Yelich is out for the year after undergoing back surgery last month.

Yelich is expected to be fully healthy in time for the outset of spring training, but the Brewers are going to be without one of their primary offensive catalysts for the remainder of the year. The 32-year-old’s persistent back issues are a lingering concern moving forward, but he’s comfortably a high-end OF3 option for fantasy managers in redraft formats.

It’s an unfortunate development for fantasy managers, and the surging Brewers, as Yelich was attempting to go the rest and rehabilitation route earlier this summer in the hopes of returning for a late-season playoff push after landing on the injured list with back inflammation. The 32-year-old fantasy stalwart has dealt with persistent back issues the past few years and it’s difficult to envision those going away as he enters his mid-30’s. He’s been a borderline elite five-category fantasy contributor when he’s been healthy and finishes the season with a robust .909 OPS with 11 homers and 21 steals across 73 games. There should be an update on his return timetable later this week following the procedure, but he’s expected to be ready for the start of next season.

Rosenthal adds that offseason back surgery remains a strong possibility for Yelich, who landed on the injured list earlier this week due to back inflammation. The 32-year-old veteran outfielder, who boasts a robust .909 OPS with 11 homers and 21 steals across 73 contests this season. has dealt with persistent back issues in recent years. However, it sounds like he’s going to make an effort to return this season with Milwaukee in the midst of a playoff push. There isn’t a definitive timetable for his return yet, but it’s an extremely positive development for fantasy managers.

This certainly isn’t great news given Yelich’s history of back injuries. The 32-year-old said he didn’t “really want to get into like the specifics of it,” but that the injury is “not great.” As of now, he isn’t sure of specifics in terms of recovery or next steps but the team will send him to see a spine specialist on Thursday to discuss any and all options, including season-ending surgery. Even though we should wait on reports from the appointment but it’s safe to assume Ye;ich will be out for a couple weeks as the Brewers figure out what to do with their star outfielder. Blake Perkins is starting in center field with Garrett Mitchell shifting to right field while Yelich is out.

It appears to be a rare off day for Yelich, who will get the afternoon off from facing Nationals rookie southpaw Mitchell Parker. It’ll be William Contreras taking a turn at designated hitter. The 32-year-old veteran outfielder is batting .327 (84-for-257) with 11 homers, 41 RBI and 21 stolen bases through 69 games.

Yelich reached three times in the win over the Pirates, starting with single in the first inning before scoring on a double by Willy Adames. He knocked another base hit in the third and stole second for his 21st steal of the season. Yelich reached once again in the sixth with a walk. The 32-year-old outfielder is slashing an outstanding .335/.417/.534 with 11 homers, 43 runs scored, and 41 RBI across 289 plate appearances.

This was a game to forget for the Brewers as they lost by 10 runs and didn’t score after the second inning. Still, Yelich continued his sensational season as his .331 batting average would lead the National League if he were qualified.

Yelich opened the scoring in Sunday’s contest with a 418-foot (107.2 mph EV) two-run blast off of rookie left-hander Justin Wrobleski in the fourth inning. He then singled and scored on a two-run knock by Blake Perkins in the eighth inning. Yelich also tacked on an RBI double in the ninth and scored on a double by Garrett Mitchell. He’s having an outstanding season in the middle of the Brewers’ lineup, slashing .329/.407/.533 with 11 homers, 41 RBI and 19 stolen bases.

Yelich clobbered an Evan Phillips sweeper for a 429-foot (108.4 mph EV) game-tying solo shot in the top half of the eighth inning. It was all for nought though as the Dodgers belted a pair of homers of their own in the bottom half of the frame to regain command. The 32-year-old All-Star outfielder finished the evening 1-for-4 and is now hitting .322/.400/.512 with 10 homers, 38 RBI and 19 stolen bases on the season.