Jackson Chourio has not played a single major league game in 2026. The Milwaukee Brewers outfielder was sidelined after fracturing the base of his left-middle finger on a hit-by-pitch while representing Venezuela in a World Baseball Classic exhibition on March 4.
What was initially projected as a 2-to-4 week absence stretched well beyond that after further imaging revealed a hairline fracture. The setback kept one of baseball’s most exciting young bats on the shelf through the entire first month of the season.
Chourio’s return hit another snag when he fouled a ball off his left ankle during a Triple-A Nashville rehab game on Saturday, casting doubt over his Monday return date. However, X-rays came back negative, and manager Pat Murphy described it as a critical day of monitoring before any decision could be made.
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Ahead of Milwaukee’s opener against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Brewers reinstated Chourio from the injured list, which means they now have one of their best hitters back in the lineup.
The Brewers also announced they have reinstated first baseman Andrew Vaughn, who had been out since opening day with a hamate bone injury. To make room, Milwaukee optioned outfielder Blake Perkins and designated Greg Jones for assignment.
Milwaukee entered the week tied for the second-fewest home runs in the majors, and getting Chourio back into that lineup immediately changes what this offense is capable of doing. He owns a .272 average, 42 home runs and 157 RBIs.
The Brewers (18-15) are off to a rough start and will look to improve on their record when they welcome the Cardinals at 7:45pm ET.
