MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich hopes to avoid surgery as he attempts to return later this season from the lower back inflammation that landed him on the injured list.

“I’ve dealt with back stuff for a while and been able to kind of manage it and get through it and find a way to be out there,” Yelich said Thursday before his annual charity event to benefit veterans and the Milwaukee community. “We’re going to come up with a great plan, we’ve got some steps to try to rehab this thing along way and really get back out there as soon as possible. Who knows when that’s going to be, how quick that can be? I’m hoping as quick as possible.