Brewers expect 'bad news' as Yelich exits with hamstring tightness

MILWAUKEE – Already missing two hitters from the top of their starting lineup, the Brewers had a new worry on Sunday when designated hitter Christian Yelich left an 8-6 loss against Nationals because of tightness in his left hamstring.

“We’re most likely going to get some bad news,” said manager Pat Murphy.

Yelich was undergoing imaging after the game, but initial tests showed “fluid in there,” according to Murphy, which is what fueled his pessimism. Yelich has been one of the Brewers’ steadiest hitters this season, with a .314/.375/.455 slash line.

“He wanted to stay in the game,” Murphy said. “But just like everything else, we have to be careful with these guys. It’s April 12, and we’ve got a lot of injuries.”

It was a clear sign of trouble when Gary Sánchez pinch-hit for Yelich against a right-hander with one out in the fifth inning and the Brewers leading, 3-2. In each of his two previous at-bats in the game, Yelich hit ground balls to second base.

The good news for the Brewers was that it wasn’t his back. Yelich has a history of back trouble and underwent surgery in August 2024 that he hoped would provide a more permanent fix. He returned healthy in ‘25 to play 150 games, mostly as Milwaukee’s DH, and hit .264/.343/.452 with 29 homers and 103 RBIs – his first 100-RBI season since winning the 2018 NL MVP Award.

The Brewers cannot afford to lose many more hitters, since they already are without left fielder Jackson Chourio, who is recovering from a left hand fracture at the base of his middle finger, and first baseman Andrew Vaughn, who is recovering from surgery to remove a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. Chourio is closest to returning, but he is still several weeks away.

“It’s part of the Major League season,” Murphy said. “You can show a lot of character right now.”