Milwaukee Brewers fans will have to wait a little longer to see Jackson Chourio back in the batter's box. The young outfielder is still recovering from a fractured left hand he sustained on March 4th while playing for Venezuela in a World Baseball Classic exhibition game, after being hit by a pitch from Washington's Clayton Beeter.

While a recent scan showed the hand is healing, manager Pat Murphy provided a cautious update on Friday. "It’s healing. It’s not quite ready, but better," Murphy said. The primary concern is protecting the hand during the unpredictable motion of a checked swing against live pitching, forcing the team to walk a fine line between aggression and caution in his rehab.

For now, Chourio's return to action will be gradual. Murphy indicated the 22-year-old would focus on baserunning, throwing, and catching drills to stay sharp while his swing remains on hold. "I think you’ll see him do some baserunning today, throwing and catching and all that stuff today," Murphy said, outlining the plan to ramp up his activity in preparation for when he's cleared to hit.

The Brewers are understandably eager for a safe return from their promising talent. Chourio has already proven his mettle, posting nearly identical impressive stat lines in his first two seasons—batting .275 with 21 homers and 79 RBIs as a rookie in 2024, followed by a .270 average with 21 homers and 78 RBIs last year. His consistent power and production make his health a top priority as the team looks ahead.