Brewers' Chourio Out with Hand Fracture from WBC

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio will miss the start of the 2026 season after suffering a hairline fracture in his left hand during a World Baseball Classic exhibition game last month. The team placed the 22-year-old on the 10-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to Wednesday, hours before their opener against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field.

The injury occurred on March 4 in West Palm Beach, Florida, when Chourio, playing for Venezuela, was hit by a pitch from Washington Nationals pitcher Clayton Beeter. Initial X-rays at the time showed no fracture, leading to a diagnosis of a contusion. Chourio missed Venezuela's first two WBC games but returned to the lineup and contributed to his country's championship victory. He then resumed spring training with the Brewers, posting a .267 batting average in Cactus League play.

Discomfort arose during a recent check swing against the Cincinnati Reds, prompting further evaluation. An MRI revealed a small fracture at the base of the third metacarpal, the bone connecting to the middle finger. Brewers manager Pat Murphy described it as a slight hairline fracture, noting that ignoring it could worsen with repeated...