Brewers Announce Jackson Chourio Decision on Wednesday

The Milwaukee Brewers posted their starting lineup Wednesday ahead of the second game of their series against the New York Mets, and one familiar name was missing from the outfield.

Jackson Chourio, the team’s 22-year-old standout, was held out of the batting order after a rough showing the night before. Sal Frelick took his place in left field.

The full Brewers lineup featured Frelick leading off in left, followed by Garrett Mitchell in center, Brice Turang at second base, Christian Yelich as the designated hitter, William Contreras behind the plate, Luis Lara in right, Andrew Vaughn at first, David Hamilton at third and Cooper Pratt at shortstop. Dustin May got the starting nod on the mound.

Chourio, listed at 6-foot-1 and 199 pounds, has played all three outfield spots this season. He went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts in Tuesday’s 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Mets at Citi Field.

That performance dropped his season average slightly, though he still sits at .276 with 17 home runs, 50 RBIs, 64 runs scored and 13 stolen bases through 98 games and 402 at-bats. His on-base percentage stands at .339 and his slugging percentage at .458, giving him an OPS of .797.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy addressed Chourio’s night after the game. MLB reporter Curt Hogg shared the manager’s comments.

“You gotta understand that these guys are 130 games in, Jackson’s 22 years old, his standards for himself are very, very high. He didn’t have a great night offensively, but he’s had so many great. That’s going to happen,” Murphy said.

The skipper’s remarks suggested the team views the quiet night as a normal part of a long season rather than a lasting concern. Chourio has built a strong track record since debuting in 2024, posting career marks of a .273 average, 59 home runs and 207 RBIs across three seasons.

In August alone, he has hit .287 with four home runs and eight RBIs in 23 games. Over his last seven contests entering Wednesday, he managed seven hits in 24 at-bats.

The Brewers entered the series with the best record in the National League at 81-51. They had won six of seven before dropping the series opener. The Mets, sitting at 60-72, improved to 13-8 in August with the extra-inning win.

Frelick, a steady presence in the outfield, has provided solid defense and contact hitting throughout the year. Moving him into the leadoff spot gives the Brewers another left-handed bat at the top while giving Chourio a chance to reset.

May, making his fourth start since joining Milwaukee, carries a 6-8 record and 4.57 ERA into the contest. The right-hander will face a Mets lineup that has shown recent signs of life despite its place in the standings.

Wednesday’s first pitch was scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Eastern. The series concludes Thursday night before the Brewers return home to face the Texas Rangers.

Chourio’s absence marks a rare day off for a player who has appeared in the vast majority of Milwaukee’s games this season. At just 22, he already ranks among the club’s most consistent producers and remains a cornerstone of the lineup when healthy and locked in.

Team officials have not indicated any injury concern. The decision appears tied solely to performance and the natural flow of a 162-game schedule.

For a young player who set high personal standards early in his career, nights like Tuesday’s can sting. Murphy’s comments made clear the organization expects those moments and trusts Chourio to bounce back quickly.

The Brewers hope a day on the bench helps the Venezuelan outfielder return refreshed for the remainder of the series and the stretch run toward October.