4:40 pm: It doesn’t seem there’s much cause for concern. Manager Craig Counsell says Yelich is day-to-day with lower back tightness (via Andrew Wagner of the Wisconsin State Journal). Third baseman Travis Shaw is also day-to-day after leaving the game with a right shin contusion. It’s possible both players are back in the lineup for tomorrow’s contest against the Cubs.
2:34 pm: Brewers star outfielder Christian Yelich left this afternoon’s game against the Cardinals in the second inning, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel was among those to note (Twitter link). He’s dealing with back soreness, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com (via Twitter).
Jackie Bradley Jr. replaced Yelich in left field. Bradley, Lorenzo Cain and Avisaíl García would make up the Brewers outfield on most days if Yelich is forced to miss any time, with Billy McKinney on hand as depth. Of course, there’s no indication at this point Yelich’s removal was anything more than due caution.
The 2019 National League MVP, Yelich had a down year (by his lofty standards) during the shortened 2020 season. He’s off to a rather bizarre start in 2021. Yelich already has ten hits and six walks over his first 37 plate appearances, but he’s also struck out twelve times and has yet to hit a home run.
downsr30
Brewers top offensive players w/o Yelich:
Avasil Garcia
Lorenzo Cain
Keston Hiura
Yick
MannyPineappleExpress9
this just in: Travis Shaw has been pretty good, and Narvy is hitting .500 so far.
augold5
Arguably based on early season returns it would be Garcia, Narvaez and Shaw
downsr30
Oh, I guess I didn’t realize calling players good based on 10 games or so was a thing
MannyPineappleExpress9
What exactly were you trying to say then?
Either implying Yelich will be out for an extended period of time, or the 3 you mentioned are “yick” based on..10 games or so…
Egon Spengler
Game, set, match. Downsr30 owned by HailRodgers12$. Thank you for coming folks.
its_happening
Egon you have poor judgement. Hail forgot to measure the last few years plus 10 games and you missed it. Back to the drawing board for you.
1984wasntamanual
He was saying that the offensive contributors that the Brewers have, after Yelich aren’t good. I don’t see anywhere that he mentioned them not being good so far this year.
Only a 14 year old would think arguing with a strawman is, “owning”, someone.
KCJ
downsr30 –
Yeah, what is your point exactly? Dude specifically said “based on early season returns”. And what are you basing your “best hitters” argument on? Hiura has been horrible for 59 games last year in addition to the 7 or so he’s played this year.
downsr30
I’m not basing my argument off early season returns, I’m basing my assessment off my own two eyes and how I’ve seen these players perform and how I think they’ll do going forward. If you think Travis Shaw and Navares are better than Hiura, that’s a bit frightening for the Milwaukee organization.
The Baseball Fan
The craziest part is how they still have 3 solid outfielders and have yet to address their third base problem. Missing out on Yelich will hurt them.
Bchsom16
May want to check and see how Travis Shaw is doing so far. I know its early but maybe they did solve it
The Baseball Fan
True, but looking from his numbers last year- I don’t know if he’s the long term solution
gbs42
He doesn’t have to be a long-term solution, just good enough for 2021. Whether he will be is TBD, of course.
2id
He’s not the long term solution. Not by any stretch of the imagination. He just needs to be serviceable and the early, early returns is showing that he is.
birdsfan415
Bellinger was the 2019 NL MVP, was 2018
Egon Spengler
“He’s off to a rather bizarre start in 2021. Yelich already has ten hits and six walks over his first 37 plate appearances, but he’s also struck out twelve times and has yet to hit a home run.”
Anthony, not really seeing what’s bizarre about this small sample size. Could you please elaborate? I’m trying to see it from your perspective but I’m coming up empty. I’ll check back later. Thanks buddy!
KCJ
Egon Spengler –
Some of these people just like to argue for the sake of arguing. I think it makes them feel smart. I don’t know….
You probably could’ve said the exact opposite and the same person would’ve argued you about that.
afsooner02
They were up a ton when they went out….not too concerned….yet
drasco036
At this point, the Brewers could play with five guys and still beat the Cubs but it’s okay, occasionally the Cubs hit a home run.
bcjd
It makes me sad to see JBJr. in a bench role.