Counsell sits Yelich (back) as proactive measure

PITTSBURGH -- A night after hitting two home runs, Christian Yelich is seeing some rest Tuesday as the Brewers try to be proactive with the health of the reigning National League MVP Award winner’s back.

The back discomfort is not a new issue for the Brewers to manage. Yelich dropped out of the Home Run Derby in July with back stiffness. Before that, he missed seven days after leaving a game in late April against the Mets, and he also was scratched from the lineup against the Reds with back spasms in late May.

“We’re just being careful,” manager Craig Counsell said. “I think he’s had a little bit of back stuff. We want to get it before anything happens, so tonight was the night to do it.”

Though Yelich was not in Tuesday’s starting lineup, Counsell said it’s “always possible” that he could contribute off the bench if need be in the contest against the Pirates at PNC Park.

As the race between the top three teams in the NL Central -- the Cubs, Cardinals and Brewers -- tightens toward September, Yelich’s name in the lineup will be crucial. He leads the Majors with 39 home runs and a .705 slugging percentage, and he’s tied for the lead in NL fWAR (6.4, with Cody Bellinger).

With an off-day coming up on Thursday, Yelich will at least have two days off in the next three days, and another team off-day will follow that on Monday. So there’s plenty of time to give the slugger rest.

“Christian wants to be in there every day, we want him in there every day but at the same time, the best thing is to avoid something big happening, too,” Counsell said. “So these days are for that and important for him.”