Out of the lineup again, Christian Yelich discusses latest back injury

MINNEAPOLIS — Speaking with reporters for the first time since a flare-up in his back took him out of the lineup, Christian Yelich didn't have a whole lot of concrete updates to provide.

As is often the case with back injuries – and Yelich's, specifically – it's a touch-and-go operation for the Milwaukee Brewers this weekend as they make a decision on whether or not to place their designated hitter on the injured list.

"They kind of know how it works, so it’s up to them on how they want to navigate and go about it," said a disappointed Yelich from Target Field on May 15, his third straight day out of the lineup. "There’s a lot of things that they consider. A lot of that’s going on. Just something we manage."

Back issues, of course, have long been Yelich’s nemesis, forcing him to miss varying amounts of time in each of his nine seasons now with Milwaukee.

May 12, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (22) is back of injured list against the San Diego Padres in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Yelich underwent a season-ending discectomy in 2024 and hardly dealt with back issues last year, missing only five games in September because of it.

But when Yelich missed the final two games of the series with the San Diego Padres this week immediately after returning May 12 from an adductor strain that kept him out for a month, it spelled trouble.

Yelich did not play on a rehab assignment before returning, with he am the Brewers opting to have him face some live at-bats during practice to acclimate him.

He felt a flare-up while warming up for that first game back against the Padres and went 0 for 4 that night with two strikeouts.