KANSAS CITY, MO – It’s a little too early to say with certainty, but it appears as though the Milwaukee Brewers have dodged a bullet with regard to Sal Frelick.
The right fielder was pulled from an 8-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals on April 4 at Kauffman Stadium with what the team described as left side tightness after he singled in the fourth inning.
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In many situations that is the terminology used as the precursor to an oblique strain, an injury that often times sidelines players for weeks or even months depending upon the severity.
Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick reaches for a fly ball during the first game of a doubleheader against the Royals on April 5 in Kansas City. He was injured in the second game.
In this case, though, the Brewers appear confident that won’t be the case.
“It’s going to be fine,” manager Pat Murphy said. “Seems like it’s more muscular than anything. We were worried it was oblique. Sal’s so competitive. He’s not going to take himself out, so we had to force him out there.
“It looks more muscular, lower back. Testing, he was fine.”
Frelick, who was replaced in the game by Brandon Lockridge, appeared totally unconcerned after the game and even surprised a reporter would be questioning how he felt.
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Scoreboard animator Karen Johnson of Racine visits County Stadium where her cartoon creations such as a trio of racing sausages entertain thousands of fans at each Brewers game.
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Scoreboard animator Karen Johnson of Racine visits County Stadium where her cartoon creations such as a trio of racing sausages entertain thousands of fans at each Brewers game.
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The sausages race at County Stadium during the 1998 season.
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A youngster tries to keep up with the Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages as they race along an indoor track following the dedication of Brown Deer High School’s Novak Family Field House on April 10, 2013.
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Sunshine greets Bernie Brewer and the Racing Sausages as fans wait in line to buy single game tickets at Miller Park in March, 2001.
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This image taken on April 6, 2001, shows the first sausage race held at Miller Park.
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Dick Steinmetz is greeted by the Klement’s Sausages as he enters the seventh annual Whitefish Bay Public Education Foundation Bay Ball held at Miller Park on Oct. 20, 2001, in Milwaukee.
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The Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages prepare to board an Hiawatha Amtrak train at Milwaukee’s Intermodal station on Feb. 12, 2009, as part of a special promotion promoting trips to Chicago for Brewers-Cubs games.
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In April, 2002, Miller Brewing marketing financial analyst Joan Piatt, posed with the bratwurst costume at Miller Park. Piatt won a writing contest giving her the chance to compete in a sausage race during an upcoming game.
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James Weeden from Palatine, Ill, poses with his grandson James Weeden, 4, while father, James Weeden, from Mundelein, Ill, photographs the two with the Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages before the game on June 16, 2002, at Miller Park. The family is originally from Grafton and attends 4-6 games each year.
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In an anticipated rematch the Milwaukee Polish sausage runs the last leg of a relay race against the Pittsburgh Pierogies, crossing the finish line for a Racing Sausages victory at Miller Park on Aug. 22, 2003, in Milwaukee, Wis. During a game the previous week at PNC Park the Pierogies beat the sausages. In July, Pittsburgh Pirates player Randall Simon swatted Guido, the Italian sausage during their game against the Brewers in Milwaukee causing a uproar with Milwaukee fans.
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The Hot Dog leads during this sausage race in May, 2004.
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Much to the delight of the students, Donges Bay principal Kristina Ekman races against the Brewers Racing Sausages at the school gym in December, 2004.
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The racing sausages make an appearance near the bleachers at Miller Park, prior to the Milwaukee Brewers game with the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 13, 2005.
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The Chirizo crosses the finish line in third place during the seventh inning of the Brewers and Reds game at Miller Park on July 29, 2006. The Bratwurst came in first.
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The Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages went trick or treating in 2006 dressed as a butcher, a ghost, a cowboy and Zorro. They will be offering treats as they go door-to-door in several neighborhoods.
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Members of the Cudahy St. Francis Little League Baseball All-Star teams line up for introductions along with the Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages before their game on June 21, 2007.
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The Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages race with first graders at Meadowview School on Nov. 15, 2007. The mascots visited the first graders as part of a celebrity reader program.
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Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages, the Bratwurst and Hot Dog greet people along the midway of Oak Creek’s Lionsfest on Aug. 30, 2008.
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The Annual Butler Chamber of Commerce Holiday Parade on Nov. 28, 2008, featured the Brewers Racing Sausages.
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Students get “high fives” from the Brewers Racing Sausages during Family Fun Night at Swallow Elementary School on Feb. 26, 2010.
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The Racing Sausages race during an exhibition game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Detroit Tigers at Miller Park on April 2, 2010.
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The Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages race kids at Ewald Chevrolet in Oconomowoc on May 8, 2010. The sausages were at the dealership during a promotional event.
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The Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages greet Bernie Brewer as he exits the new “Brewers 1”, Air Tran Airways Boeing 717 airplane on May 17, 2010. Kids from the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee pulled the 120,000 pound aircraft 20 feet to earn a $50,000 check for their summer camp program from Air Tran.
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The Milwaukee Brewers Chorizo Racing Sausage walks behind flag bearers during the Fourth of July parade on Friday July 2, 2010 in West Allis.
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The famous racing sausages dance during the National Night Out kick-off celebration at the Franklin Public Library on August 2, 2010.
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Kindergarten students from Gifford Elementary School in Caledonia chat with the Chorizo sausage on Sept. 3, 2010, as part of a program to promote a great start to the school year.
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Associated Bank in Oconomowoc held a Grand Opening ‘Kids day’ on Nov. 6 with refreshments, prizes and the Milwaukee Brewer Racing Sausages. Pictured is Kaylee Gorton, 7, of Lake Mills, who enjoyed the festivities.
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The Brewers Racing Sausages help pack for their trip to Arizona for spring training on Feb. 8, 2011.
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Greendale Canterbury Elementary School principal Christian Pleister leads the Brewers Racing Sausages to the finish line before hundreds of students during the start of Olympic Day at the school on June 2, 2011. Students participated in football toss, a potato sack race, jump rope, a jelly bean race and a Kickball game.
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The Italian Sausage helps Skylar Smith, 5 (left), and Krystan Hansen, 3, on the swings during a visit to LindenGrove for the annual resident and family picnic on Aug. 11, 2011.
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The Brewers Racing Sausages perform during a Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers game on Aug. 17, 2011.
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The Brewers Racing Sausages perform during a Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals game on Aug. 31, 2011.
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Horizon Elementary 6th grade student Mathew Trotier poses with the Brewers Racing Sausages during a surprise event at the school on Jan. 31, 2011. The entire school gathered to hear Brewers Chief Operating Officer Rick Schlesinger announced a peanut-controlled area for select games at Miller Park in 2012. The announcement was prompted by Mathew, who wrote a letter to the Brewers management suggesting the idea for the benefit of children who suffer from peanut allergies.
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Students at Horizon Elementary School in Pewaukee erupt into a frenzy as the Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages make an appearance on Jan. 31, 2011. The entire school gathered to hear Brewers Chief Operating Officer Rick Schlesinger announced a peanut-controlled area for select games at Miller Park in 2012. The announcement was prompted by Mathew, who wrote a letter to the Brewers management suggesting the idea for the benefit of children who suffer from peanut allergies.
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The Brewers Racing Sausages help load boxes and supplies from the club house on February 9, 2012, as the front office moves for the next six weeks to Arizona during Brewers Spring Training.
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Kelsey Gilfillan (left) and Meredith Merrill pose with the Racing Sausages n April 6, 2012, before the Milwaukee Brewers season home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wis.
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Workers from Anchor Moving Systems in Milwaukee were greeted by the Brewers Racing Sausages on Jan. 18, 2013, as they loaded the truck at Miller Park for the trip to Milwaukee Brewers spring training.
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The Brewers Racing Sausages in full stride at Miller Park during the Brewers game against the Chicago Cubs on June 25, 2013. The mascots are celebrating their 20th year with the Brewers.
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The Brewers Racing Sausages draw attention during the 2013 USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships held along the Lakefront.
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The Brewers Racing Sausages took a break during the 32nd annual Burlington Christmas Parade on Dec. 6, 2013, to warm up in the front yard of a house along the parade route.
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Bernie Brewer gives the thumbs up on February 5, 2014, as he’s joined by the Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages, including (from left) the brat, the polish, and the hot dog The crew were taking a much needed break from packing the truck leaving for the Brewers Spring Training home at Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix, Arizona.
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The Racing Sausages get ready for opening day action during the Milwaukee Brewers home opener at Miller Park in Milwaukee on March 31, 2014.
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Dennis Teuscher (left) and his niece Jenny Teuscher pose for a photo with the Brewers Racing Sausages before the start of a 3.3 mile on May, 4 2014, at Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee, Wis. to raise money for multiple sclerosis research.
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Heidi Drayna from Mukwonago runs out for a picture with the Racing Sausages during the Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Center Midnight Magic parade on Dec. 6, 2014.
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The Racing Sausages help out with a Briggs & Stratton promotion during a break in the Brewers games against the Texas Rangers on March 7, 2015, in Phoenix. Arizona.
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The Racing Sausages (from left) Hot Dog, Bratwurst, Polish, Chorizo, Bernie Brewer and the Italian were all on hand at Miller Park to help with loading the truck as the Brewers packed up for Spring Training on Feb. 9, 2016.
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Bernie Brewer is photographed with the Racing Sausages before the truck heads to Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix for spring training.
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Bernie Brewer is surrounded by Racing Sausages and media on Feb. 2, 2017, as he loads a box onto a truck heading to the Brewers spring training home in Phoenix, Ariz.
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Miller Park held a Food & Beverage Reimagined event for media and guests on March 29, 2017. New foods, beverages and sales areas were shown. The Racing Sausages cut the ribbon for the event.
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The Milwaukee Brewers Klments Racing Sausages make an appearance at St. Christopher Episcopal Church for St. ChristoPhest on July 23, 2017, in River Hills.
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The Milwaukee Brewers Klments Racing Sausages make an appearance at St. Christopher Episcopal Church for St. ChristoPhest on July 23, 2017, in River Hills.
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The Racing Sausages help load the truck on Feb. 6, 2018, as they prepare to travel to Arizona for spring training.
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The racing sausages help load baseball gear on Feb. 13, 2019, from the clubhouse to a waiting semi-trailer at Miller Park as the Brewers head to Arizona for spring training.
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The Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages run through the Molson Coors campus in Milwaukee on July 27, 2020.
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The Brewers Racing Sausages pose for a photo before helping to load the Milwaukee Brewers team equipment truck at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Feb. 4, 2025, before heading to Phoenix, Ariz. for spring training.
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Bernie Brewer and the Racing Sausages help load the Milwaukee Brewers team equipment truck on Feb. 4, 2025, at American Family Field in Milwaukee before heading to Phoenix, Ariz. for spring training.
“It was a little tight all day, but something hurts every day,” he said. “I didn’t think twice about it. And then I think just sitting around after the first game and going on to the second game it probably just tightened up a little more.
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“I was fine to stay in. I didn’t think I needed to come out. There’s not much to it.”
It wouldn’t be at all surprising to see Frelick get the finale off Sunday afternoon, and on a personal level it probably would be nice for him to be ready to return to the lineup Monday as the Brewers open a three-game interleague series against his hometown Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers believe Sal Frelick OK after leaving game with side tightness