Can't stop Murph: Brewers skipper rejoins club a day after undergoing back surgery

MILWAUKEE -- Did the doctors recommend that Pat Murphy go back to work on Friday after undergoing a 2 1/2 hour back surgery the previous afternoon?

No.

Was that going to stop the 67-year-old Brewers manager?

Also no.

“He’s stubborn,” said reliever Jared Koenig, “and that’s what we like.”

Murphy was back to work after having a ruptured disc repaired on Thursday in Appleton, Wis., by Dr. Brandon Rebholz, the same spine specialist who performed Christian Yelich’s discectomy in 2024. The procedure, which was expedited after Murphy developed debilitating back pain during the Brewers’ visit to Las Vegas to play the A’s earlier this month, was more extensive than planned, according to Murphy.

That didn’t stop him from returning to the office the following day for the opener of a big weekend series between the Brewers and Cubs at American Family Field. The plan going into Friday was that Murphy would manage the game from the safety of a room just off the dugout, to avoid any quick movements in the event a foul ball came screaming into the dugout.

Pitching coach Chris Hook has been going to the mound to make pitching changes since June 13 and will continue to do so while Murphy recovers. He says he never considered taking a couple days off.

“The whole reason to do it on the off-day is because there’s a possibility you could manage the next day,” Murphy said. “That’s what I love doing. That’s the rhythm that we’ve had, so you want to show the guys that’s the rhythm we’ve had. I’m not trying to be Superman. This isn’t about me. But let’s keep that rhythm.”

Asked for details of the procedure, Murphy said, “I didn’t ask. ‘Just fix it.’ You just give them your card and don’t ask about specifics, you know?”

He’s had a right hip surgery scheduled for months that was supposed to take place over the All-Star break, but that’s been postponed until after the season to give Murphy’s back time to heal. He says he also has a right knee and left shoulder that need attention.

But his back had gotten so bad that it took precedence. Anyone who saw Murphy’s postgame press conferences during the team’s recent road trip to Atlanta and Cincinnati probably could feel his pain through their television screen.

“I was in way more pain the last 6-10 days than I am today, so I’m thankful and grateful to Dr. Rebholz and his whole group up there,” Murphy said. “I’ve had great support and I appreciate it all, but let’s get on to the important part.”

There was plenty of baseball to get on to for the Brewers. Friday began a stretch of 18 games over 17 days leading to the All-Star break.