Hear Christian Yelich explain his walk-off, grand-slam home run
Hear Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich explain his walk-off, grand-slam home run during the tenth inning against the Boston Red Sox on May 27, 2025.
PHILADELPHIA — The Milwaukee Brewers removed outfielder Christian Yelich from the game in the third inning June 1 at Citizens Bank Park after he was struck in the hand by a pitch.
X-rays were negative and the Brewers officially labeled the injury a right-hand contusion and manager Pat Murphy said Yelich would be day-to-day.
“Thank God,” Murphy said.
After Yelich absorbed the pitch from Phillies starter Ranger Suárez in the first inning, he stayed in the game to run the bases after a brief check from Brewers’ training staff. Eric Haase pinch-hit for him in the third inning.
Yelich was having trouble gripping the bat when he went back to the dugout in the first inning, which made him fear that the injury was potentially worse, but X-rays showed no break.
“That was good news,” Yelich said. “I felt like it was 50-50 going in there. Just really was a swelling thing and not being able to grip the bat. Not too much pain when I was taking swings the bottom of the first. I wanted to keep going. It just ended up being a grip thing. Everything swelled up and spasmed up, so hopefully we can get that taken care of and get back in there pretty soon.”
Yelich was just beginning to get going at the plate, too. He was riding an eight-game hitting streak coming into the game, during which he was batting .472 with five home runs and a 1.429 OPS. At the very least, he will be out of the lineup June 2 as the Brewers begin a series in Cincinnati.
“He’s rolling so well that I hate it for him that he’s got to take a day off,” Murphy said.
The 33-year-old, coming off season-ending back surgery last year, has otherwise managed to stay healthy this season before the pitch from Suarez.
