Yelich to see spine specialist, could need season-ending surgery

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich will see a spine specialist Thursday to determine how to treat his back injury, which could require season-ending surgery, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.

"Everybody plays through stuff but sometimes you just can't," Yelich said Wednesday. "That's kind of where we're at. Your body won't cooperate with you. ... I've been able to play at a high level but it's one of those things that's held me back a little, so that's where it's frustrating."

The NL Central-leading Brewers placed the All-Star on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with low back inflammation.

"It's a huge loss, and we've had some huge losses this year," Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. "I can name their names if you would like me to repeat the list. But this is huge, no matter how serious. Whatever number of games we lose him for, it's serious."

Yelich left Tuesday's game against the Chicago Cubs with back tightness.

The 32-year-old added the next step in his recovery is to decide "what's going to be the best for the near future and into the future."

Yelich, who's slashing .315/.406/.504 with 11 homers and 42 RBIs over 73 games in 2024, missed almost a month after suffering a back strain in April.

Milwaukee reinstated catcher Gary Sánchez to take Yelich's place on the active roster.