The Milwaukee Brewers entered Tuesday sitting in last place in the National League Central, which has been one of the most competitive divisions in baseball throughout April.
Milwaukee still owns a 12-9 record, yet the club would almost certainly be in a better position if Jackson Chourio were in its everyday lineup. The 22-year-old outfielder has been sidelined since landing on the 10-day injured list just before Opening Day due to a fractured left hand. He has missed all 21 games this season.
Chourio sustained the injury when he was hit by a pitch during the World Baseball Classic while playing for Team Venezuela. He continued to play in the tournament, but once he returned to the Brewers, X-rays revealed structural damage.
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Since then, Chourio has made steady progress in his recovery. The Brewers have taken a cautious approach, as the small-market club views him as a future superstar. Before ever appearing in an MLB game, Chourio signed an eight-year, $84 million contract extension, at the time a record for a player who had yet to make his big-league debut.
As Milwaukee prepared for its series opener against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, manager Pat Murphy spoke with reporters and announced a significant update on Chourio’s status.
Murphy revealed that Chourio had finally progressed to hitting and was scheduled to take batting practice on the field Wednesday. This is likely his final major hurdle before beginning a rehab assignment, and he remains on track to return in early May (h/t Jack Stern of Brewer Fanatic).
It is a huge development, as hitting has been the biggest obstacle due to the nature of a hand fracture.
When Chourio returns, he will look to resume providing his all-around impact. Last season, he posted a .270 batting average, .308 on-base percentage, .770 OPS, 21 home runs and 21 stolen bases.
The Brewers believe he can be a franchise-changing presence, and his return could not come at a better time for a team trying to win another division title.
