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 the team’s series finale against the Nationals because of tightness in his left hamstring.
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.
This season, Yelich has been one of the Brewers’ steadiest hitters, with a .314/.375/.455 slash line.
The Brewers cannot afford many more personnel losses, 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.