Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich took a step forward Saturday in his return from back surgery by playing in a game for the first time since July.

Yelich was the designated hitter for the Brewers' 9-4 Cactus League victory over the Texas Rangers. The 2018 NL MVP went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and an RBI.

"It was just cool to be out there, honestly, because it's a long road from the last time I did it," Yelich said. "Honestly, that was a victory in itself for me today."