Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick decided against joining Team Italy for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, choosing instead to focus on his health ahead of the 2026 MLB season. This choice reflects his commitment to maximizing his performance for the Brewers rather than competing internationally in March.
Focused on Recovery and Preparing for a Strong Season
Frelick revealed that his end-of-year MRIs showed he was dealing with significant physical wear, prompting consultations with the Brewers medical staff.
“But when I had my end of the year MRIs, I was pretty banged up. I talked with the team and they were like, it would just be smart to have a full offseason of lifting and rehab to get to 200 percent coming into spring so I could get to Opening Day fully healthy,”
he explained.
Last season, Frelick struggled with hamstring and knee injuries that caused him to miss 20 games. Despite these setbacks, he managed a career-high 594 plate appearances, highlighting his importance to the Brewers lineup. His decision to skip the Classic was influenced by the tournament‘s overlap with spring training and the disruption it would cause to his recovery plan.
Commitment to the Brewers Comes First Despite Desire to Play
Frelick acknowledged the difficulty of turning down the chance to represent Italy on the global baseball stage, especially after making initial commitments earlier in the year.
“It was tough because I wanted to play. And I felt even worse because I had committed and had multiple conversations throughout the year and told them I was good to go. I felt awful. But I told them my job first and foremost is the Brewers. And they fully understood,”
he said.
Building on a Breakout Season with Ambitious Goals
The outfielder had a breakout performance in 2025, improving his offensive and defensive contributions. He posted a .288 batting average with a .351 on-base percentage and a .405 slugging percentage, along with an OPS+ of 111. Frelick doubled his career home run total with 12 homers and recorded 63 RBIs, surpassing his totals from the previous two seasons combined. His overall value was reflected in a 3.0 WAR.
Despite these impressive numbers, Frelick is determined to elevate his game.
“I don’t want to go in at 100 percent. I want to be above 100,”
he said, signaling his intent to push beyond last year’s achievements.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season with the Brewers
Frelick’s decision to prioritize his health and the Brewers’ season sets the stage for continued growth and impact in 2026. His approach underscores a professional focus on long-term success with the franchise that drafted him rather than immediate international honors. Brewers fans will be watching closely to see how his dedication pays off in the coming months.
