The Milwaukee Brewers are facing a critical moment as they remain in a tight contest for first place in the NL Central with the Chicago Cubs, while preparing for an extended loss of rising center fielder Jackson Chourio due to a worsening hamstring injury. This update on Jackson Chourio’s injury confirms he will be sidelined longer than anticipated, potentially for up to a month.
Details of Jackson Chourio’s Injury and Recovery Prospects
Jackson Chourio, the 21-year-old breakout star who has played in 106 games this season, suffered a right hamstring strain during a game against the Cubs on July 29 after hustling for a triple. The injury forced him to leave the game immediately and ultimately resulted in his placement on the 10-day injured list the following Thursday.
During the pregame on August 1, Brewers manager Pat Murphy revealed the injury is more serious than initial assessments suggested. Chourio has already undergone a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection as part of his treatment, indicating a longer recovery timeline. Murphy emphasized that Chourio’s time away from the lineup will exceed the minimal 10-day period, with the possibility of it extending to a month.
Jackson Chourio’s injury is “a little more severe” than initially thought, Pat Murphy said. To what extent, the Brewers are not yet sure. He received a PRP injection and will be out more than the 10-day minimum. Could it be a month? “Could be.”— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) August 1, 2025
Impact on Brewers’ Lineup and Center Field Alternatives
Chourio has been instrumental to Milwaukee’s strong performance this season, batting .276 with 17 home runs, 67 RBIs, and a .786 OPS. His absence creates a significant gap in the Brewers’ outfield, prompting the team to examine alternative options to fill the center field position.
Blake Perkins stepped in during Friday’s game against the Washington Nationals and previously replaced Chourio after the injury occurred. Perkins, who has spent parts of three seasons with Milwaukee, displays a .236 career batting average and a .660 OPS over 199 games, figures that fall below MLB averages. Although Perkins has shown recent improvement in 2025 with a .269 average and a .768 OPS in limited play (11 games so far), the Brewers are cautious about relying on his performance as sustainable.
Right fielder Sal Frelick is another candidate to man center field. The Brewers’ 2021 first-round pick has developed into a dependable offensive contributor, boasting a .292 batting average, eight home runs, and a .756 OPS over 97 games this year. Frelick brings defensive versatility, having earned a Gold Glove Award in right field in 2024 and prior experience playing center field during his rookie season.
However, Frelick recently returned from a left hamstring injury sustained in late July, leading the Brewers to rest him on Friday to ensure full recovery. This cautious approach limits his availability as a direct replacement for Chourio immediately.
Upcoming Decisions and Implications for the Brewers
With Jackson Chourio’s injury sidelining a key contributor for potentially the next month, the Brewers face important roster and lineup decisions. They must balance resting Sal Frelick for his hamstring recovery with the need for stable production in center field, while managing Blake Perkins’ opportunity to contribute consistently.
The team’s success in maintaining their pursuit of the NL Central title depends in part on how effectively they navigate this challenge. Chourio’s absence reduces offensive firepower and defensive reliability in center field, both of which will shape the Brewers’ strategies in the coming weeks.
As the season progresses, updates on Chourio’s recovery will be closely monitored, with the Brewers hopeful that their young star can return to help sustain their playoff push.