Chourio (bruised hand) held out of Venezuela's Classic opener

MIAMI -- A bruised left hand kept budding Brewers star Jackson Chourio out of Venezuela’s lineup for its opening game of the World Baseball Classic on Friday, a 6-2 victory over the Netherlands. Milwaukee officials, however, have “no concern” about his long-term availability, a source said.

Chourio was struck on that hand by a pitch during the second of his three plate appearances in Venezuela’s exhibition game against the Nationals on Wednesday and was diagnosed with a soft tissue bruise. He improved on Thursday and expressed a strong desire to play Venezuela’s opening game against the Netherlands, but he was held out as a precaution.

“He was wearing the protection, but it was a straight ball at 100 mph,” Venezuela manager Omar López said. “He's going to be OK. The examination was done and everything is OK, but he had some swelling and he needs to rest.”

López said Chourio was available as a pinch-runner or defensive replacement for Venezuela in Friday’s opener, but he did not get into the game. López said Chourio’s hand is still “a little bit swollen,” though he did not rule out the possibility of the Brewers star playing Saturday against Israel. Venezuela is off on Sunday, returning to action Monday against Nicaragua.

“He's feeling much better, and he's ready to do many things except for hitting,” López said. “We are going to wait until [Saturday]. If he is OK, maybe he is going to play. But in a couple of more days, he will be ready for Nicaragua.”

Brewers medical officials had already been in touch with their Team Venezuela counterparts early Friday morning for an update and were assured the 21-year-old is day to day. Aside from those channels, they also have coach Néstor Corredor on-site in Miami as a member of Venezuela's staff, as well as catcher William Contreras and reliever Angel Zerpa on the roster with Chourio.

In Phoenix, Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said the Brewers were “all over” the situation thanks to those many contacts. His understanding is that Chourio could be back in the lineup as soon as Saturday night for Venezuela’s game against Israel.

“His country is important to him, and his teammates from his country are important to him,” Murphy said. “And being so young, it’s kind of cool.”

Chourio is heading into his third season in the Majors and looking to build on a record-setting start to his career. After becoming the youngest member of Milwaukee’s Opening Day lineup since Robin Yount 50 years earlier in 2024, Chourio became the youngest player to log multiple 20-20 seasons in ‘25, when he hit 21 home runs and stole 21 bases.

He was hobbled during last year’s postseason by a right hamstring injury, but he reported to camp at 100 percent and has no physical issues now aside from the bruised hand, according to the source.