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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Milwaukee Brewers' Christian Yelich rounds third base on his way to scoring on a two-run RBI double hit by Blake Perkins during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
LONDON (AP) — King Charles III has chosen Westminster Abbey as the site of his Christmas Day speech on Thursday, reflecting the idea of pilgrimage that is expected to be a theme of the annual address to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
The central London landmark, known for the lavish coronations and royal weddings it has hosted for more than 1,000 years, is also the focus of an annual pilgrimage to the tomb of Edward the Confessor, which lies at the heart of the church. Edward, a monk-like monarch, was canonized as a saint in 1161.
The monarch’s annual holiday message is watched by millions of people in the U.K. and across the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 independent nations, most of which have historic ties to Britain. The prerecorded speech is broadcast at 3 p.m. (1500 GMT), when many families are enjoying their traditional Christmas lunch.
The speech is one of the rare occasions when Charles, 77, is able to voice his own views and doesn’t seek guidance from the government. It usually has a strong religious framework, reflects current issues and sometimes draws on the monarch’s personal experiences.
This year’s address comes just two weeks after Charles made a deeply personal television appearance in which he said “good news” from his doctors meant that he would be able to reduce his treatment for cancer in the new year.
The king was diagnosed with a still undisclosed form of cancer in early 2024. Buckingham Palace said that his treatment is now moving to a “precautionary phase” and his condition will be monitored to ensure his continued recovery.
Charles recorded last year’s speech at Fitzrovia Chapel, which was once part of the now demolished Middlesex Hospital. During that address, he honored care workers around the country and gave a special thanks to the doctors and nurses who supported him after his cancer diagnosis.
This year’s Christmas speech will be the fourth since Charles ascended to the throne after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died in September 2022.
Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla lead as they arrive to attend the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, England, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)
Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive to attend the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, England, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)
Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive to attend the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, England, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)
Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive to attend the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, England, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025.(AP Photo/Jon Super)
Britain's King Charles III during the recording of his Christmas message in the Lady Chapel of Westminster Abbey, central London, Thursday Dec. 11, 2025. (Aaron Chown/PA via AP, Pool)
