Brewers' Jackson Chourio is on the verge of facing pitching

DETROIT – Jackson Chourio is poised to take a big step forward in his quest to return to the field for the Milwaukee Brewers.

The outfielder is scheduled to hit on the field on Wednesday, April 22 for the first time since being sidelined by a hairline fracture at the base of the third metacarpal on his left hand, with an eye on beginning a minor-league rehab assignment the final weekend of the month if all goes according to plan.

"I'm just happy that I've been able to progress and show them that we can keep on that same track," Chourio said prior to the Brewers' series opener against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

"Feels good to have a bat in my hand again. I definitely missed it. Just very grateful that I've been able to progress."

Chourio, who was injured initially while playing for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, had been running and doing other baseball work before being cleared to begin swinging a bat recently.

He's been hitting off a tee and off flips from coaches in the cage, with actual batting practice the next, most important step in the process.

"His injury deals with the tendon that could be damaged and require surgery if we don't let the bone heal," manager Pat Murphy said. "Hopefully, the bone will be more healed and he'll be out of the woods danger-wise of that tendon being injured, and I anticipate he'll be able to ramp up his hitting.

"He just has to be pain-free, especially on the check swing. The fact he's going through hitting right now and he doesn't have residual pain after the workouts is a really good sign. But you've got to remember it wasn't hurting him to swing (before the diagnosis).

"So, we'll have to get to that point."

The Brewers have been operating with a piecemeal outfield with Chourio sidelined and Christian Yelich also out, relying on players like Luis Matos and Greg Jones – neither of whom were on the opening-day roster – to fill the gaps in the meantime.

"The way I've been seeing it is, it's some time to potentially get my body more physically ready in other areas," Chourio said. "Just knowing that I'll be able to give the best version of myself whenever I do come back."