Brewers, Yelich scratched with back issue before Phillies game, not expected out long

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter Christian Yelich was a late scratch from Wednesday night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies with lower back soreness, but is not expected to be out of the lineup long.

Yelich, originally in the lineup in the cleanup spot, is hitting .268 with a team-high 27 homers and 92 RBIs.

Yelich first started experiencing some pain during a series against Arizona late last month, manager Pat Murphy said after Wednesday night's 6-3 win over the Phillies.

“He hasn’t been out all year,” Murphy said. “He played all those games. He’s really been super healthy for us.”

Yelich is expected to get Thursday off and the goal is get him back by the for a three-game weekend series against Pittsburgh, Murphy said.

Milwaukee at 86-54 and Philadelphia at 80-59 are leading their respective divisions with the two best records in the National League.

The Brewers lead the Central Division by six games over the Cubs, while the Phillies are five and a half games upp on the Mets in the East.

Philadelphia won the series opener 10-8 on Monday and both teams were idle Tuesday.

The 33-year-old Yelich missed 20 games early last season with a low back strain, then went back on the IL in July 2024 before undergoing season-ending surgery in mid-August. Yelich was leading the NL with a .315 average at the time.

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AP MLB: https://www.apnews.com/hub/MLB