ATLANTA – The next month or so is going to be a tough one for Pat Murphy.
Not only will the Milwaukee Brewers manager be charged with keeping his team atop the National League Central Division standings, he will do so while dealing with a couple major health challenges.
Murphy told reporters prior to the Brewers’ matinee matchup against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Saturday, June 20, that he’s scheduled to undergo a procedure on the team’s upcoming off day June 25 to relieve pain stemming from a disc issue in his back.
“I’ll be back by Friday,” said the 67-year-old Murphy, whose team opens a big three-game set against the Chicago Cubs at American Family Field that night. “Jumping jacks by Saturday.”
Then, as if that wasn’t enough, Murphy will undergo hip replacement surgery during the all-star break, which begins on July 13.
Murphy indicated his back began bothering him when the Brewers arrived back in Milwaukee following their series against the A’s in Las Vegas last week, while the hip has been more of an ongoing issue that necessitated imaging and kept him from making pitching changes during last weekend’s series against the Phillies.
Pitching coach Chris Hook has been making the treks back and forth from the dugout to the mound in the meantime. And while Murphy appears to be moving around slightly better when he’s not navigating stairs and such, it’s clear he’s not feeling near his best.
“I know I can’t live like this,” he said.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers manager Pat Murphy to undergo back procedure, hip replacement
Reporting by Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
