Christian Yelich Homers for the First Time Since Back Surgery: 'Each Day Has Felt Better'

Christian Yelich’s first hit of Spring Training served as a promising sign that his surgically repaired back is holding up well. The Milwaukee Brewers star blasted a solo home run over the batter’s eye in center field during the first inning of Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Angels at American Family Fields of Phoenix. While the result was impressive, Yelich emphasized the importance of the process. “It’s always good to have positive steps, whether it’s a home run or not,” he said. “If it’s a good at-bat, or you feel like you’re putting good swings on balls, or being on time, that’s what you look for in Spring Training.”
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Yelich also reflected on the joy of hitting a home run after his back surgery. “Obviously, you’ll always take the home runs. It’s cool to prove to yourself that it’s still in there and stuff like that. But you’re just trying to build the timing back, the rhythm, just being comfortable being back in the box in a game environment. We’ve still got a ways to go this spring, but each day has felt better, which is nice.” Brewers manager Pat Murphy echoed Yelich's sentiments, stating, “It’s good to see balls and strikes. It’s good to know you still have your eye. And then you’ve got to hit some balls on the barrel. It’s good to have him do that today.” As Yelich continues his recovery, both he and the team remain optimistic about his progress and future performance.