Now in his seventh big-league season, Jake Bauers has had a late-career breakout. Not only has the 30-year-old veteran been the most valuable player on the team, but he has been one of the best players in MLB.
Across 129 games, Bauers has posted a .270 batting average, .396 on-base percentage that leads the entire National League, .889 OPS, 24 home runs and 78 RBIs.
He has been the biggest reason why the Brewers own the best record in the NL and why they are on pace to win another division title and secure the one seed for a second straight year.
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What is most impressive about Bauers’ recent performance is that he has not been at full strength. Last month he was diagnosed with shin splints in both legs, something he will be forced to manage for the remainder of the season.
Despite the discomfort, Bauers has continued to suit up nearly every day for Milwaukee, playing wherever the team needs him whether that be in the outfield or at first base.
Ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Chicago Cubs, however, the Brewers decided to remove him from the starting lineup. Speaking with reporters before first pitch, manager Pat Murphy announced an update on Bauers’ condition.
He revealed that Bauers has been playing through the shin splints and desperately needed a day off. Murphy also added that Bauers is not improving and that he is dealing with additional physical issues beyond just the shin splints, per Hunter Baumgardt of Fox Sports 920.
Although it is an important series for Milwaukee, they are going to need Bauers as close to full strength as possible come October. If that means giving him more days off his legs in September, that decision has to be made. Bauers may still be available to pinch-hit if Murphy calls for it.
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