Brewers' Christian Yelich leaves game with back soreness

Brewers star outfielder Christian Yelich left Sunday afternoon’s game against the Cardinals in the second inning, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel was among those to note. He’s dealing with back soreness, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.

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 2018 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 10 hits and six walks over his first 37 plate appearances, but he’s also struck out 12 times and has yet to hit a home run.