Brewers' Chourio tests hamstring
during workout, his status for Game 2 of NLDS vs Cubs is uncertain
[October 06, 2025]
By STEVE MEGARGEE
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio’s
status for Game 2 of the NL Division Series against the Chicago Cubs
remained uncertain Sunday, a day after he underwent an MRI on his
right hamstring.
Chourio did some light running during the Brewers' Sunday afternoon
workout. The 21-year-old went 3 for 3 with three RBIs in Milwaukee's
9-3 Game 1 victory on Saturday before exiting in the second inning
with hamstring tightness.
“I know that we’re going to test some things today,” Murphy said
before the workout. “He’s going to be out there today. I don’t know
that he’ll do much, but the MRI came back and it’s inconclusive. And
it’s not a serious hamstring strain, but it’s not necessarily
something that won’t limit him.”
Game 2 of the best-of-five series is Monday night. The Cubs plan to
start left-hander Shota Imanaga (9-8, 3.73 ERA in regular season),
while the Brewers will use lefty Aaron Ashby (5-2, 2.16) as an
opener.
In Milwaukee's Game 1 triumph, Chourio became the first player ever
to have three hits in the first two innings of a playoff game. He
hurt his hamstring while running to first on an infield single.
Chourio had missed a month of the regular season because of a strain
to the same hamstring.
“We’re going to kind of see how he feels,” Murphy said. “He’s going
to go through some testing, and if he feels anything, we’re going to
shut it down.”
Chourio had expressed confidence after Saturday's game that the
issue wasn't serious. But he made similar comments after straining
his hamstring on July 29 and then didn't play again until Aug. 30.
“I feel good right now,” Chourio said through an interpreter after
Saturday's game. “Compared to the last time that this happened, I
feel like I’m in a very good position.”
The Brewers certainly are in a good position after winning the
opener. Ashby threw 16 pitches in that game while working 1 1/3
innings of scoreless relief.
He will be back on the mound Monday at the start of the game. Ashby
said the different role doesn't really change his approach.
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Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio hits an RBI single during the
second inning of Game 1 of baseball's National League Division
Series against the Chicago Cubs Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in
Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
“Like all of the outings leading up throughout the
years, I guess. It’s kind of just been get outs,” said Ashby, who
started in only one of his 43 regular-season appearances. “Whether
that’s in the first inning or the fourth, fifth, seventh, whenever
it is. I think they’ve made it clear that your job is just to get
outs, and then when they ask you to stop getting outs, that’s when
you stop. Going into tomorrow, it’ll be kind of the same situation.
Just prep the same.”
Murphy said Sunday he didn't know who would follow Ashby.
Right-hander Quinn Priester (13-3, 3.32) ranked second on the
Brewers in innings pitched and would seem like a probable candidate.
Imanaga will be making his second appearance of this postseason
after allowing two runs over four innings Wednesday in the Cubs’ 3-0
Game 2 loss to the San Diego Padres in the NL Wild Card Series.
The 32-year-old Imanaga is very familiar with the Brewers. He
started against them three times during the regular season and went
1-2 with a 3.57 ERA in those games.
“I think he’s a thinking-man’s competitor, and he also pitches with
a lot of joy on the mound while competing at a really high level,”
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “He doesn’t sometimes come across
as, like, this fierce competitor because he’s really joyful on the
mound. So that doesn’t come across as fierce necessarily. But I
think he’s a fierce competitor.”
Chicago reliever Ben Brown said the Cubs remain upbeat after losing
the opening game of the series. He credited veterans Justin Turner,
Dansby Swanson, Carlos Santana and Drew Pomeranz — who have a
combined 168 games of postseason experience — for making sure
everyone stayed grounded.
“It would be silly for us to be beat up losing one game," Brown
said. "I don’t think anyone was wearing it yesterday. I don’t think
that the vibes were super low in the clubhouse after a loss. It
actually felt like we were just where we needed to be.”
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