Brewers' star outfielder notably absent from Team Venezuela's first 2026 WBC lineup

The World Baseball Classic has arrived; meaningful baseball is back! Though four games have already been played, today marks the first day that contests in North America will take place. So far, Team Australia -- managed by former Milwaukee Brewer Dave Nilsson -- is off to a hot start, defeating Chinese Taipei and Team Czech Republic over in Tokyo. Also in Japan's capital city, Team Korea bested the Czech Republic and Team Japan, the defending champions, dominated Chinese Taipei this morning, winning by a score of 13-0.

Today's full slate of games features the debuts of Team USA and Team Dominican Republic -- two rosters chock-full of MLB stars -- as well as the first games for Team Mexico and Team Venezuela -- two dark horses who can make some serious noise in this year's WBC.

While the Friday lineup includes the first games of several exciting rosters that baseball fans can't wait to see play meaningful games in early March, it also features the WBC debuts for several Brewers. Brice Turang is suiting up for Team USA, who takes on Team Brazil tonight at 7:00 p.m. CT at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. Joey Ortiz is playing for Team Mexico, who have the noon slot against Team Great Britain in the same ballpark.

Every Milwaukee Brewers connection in the 2026 World Baseball Classic

Meanwhile, Team Venezuela -- whose roster features three Brewers -- is set to kick off their 2026 WBC journey at 11:00 a.m. CT this morning at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. Catcher William Contreras, outfielder Jackson Chourio, and reliever Ángel Zerpa are all set to represent their home country of Venezuela this year, but Brewers fans might have to wait another day to see their star outfielder make his WBC debut.

Jackson Chourio not in Team Venezuela's first 2026 WBC lineup after suffering minor hand injury in exhibition game

One of the biggest fears for MLB stars and their fans during the World Baseball Classic is that an injury will pop up that impacts their availability for the MLB season. The nightmare scenario occurred during the 2023 WBC when All-Star reliever Edwin Díaz tore his right patellar tendon during a celebration with Team Puerto Rico and was forced to miss the New York Mets' entire 2023 season.

With this possibility in the back of fans' minds, any injury news from the WBC immediately causes a pit in the stomach. Such was the case when reports surfaced that Chourio was not in Team Venezuela's lineup for their WBC opener against the Netherlands this morning. Chourio, who battled a hamstring injury during the final months of the 2025 season, is a key piece of the Brewers' offense, so any injury that could impact his availability for the 2026 campaign would be significant for Milwaukee.

Thankfully, MLB.com Brewers' beat reporter Adam McCalvy is on top of it, and his communication with the team's medical staff, who have communicated with Team Venezuela, revealed that Chourio's hand injury is a minor one, caused by a hit-by-pitch that occurred earlier in the week. There are no concerns that Chourio will miss an extended amount of time, and he could even be in the lineup for Team Venezuela tomorrow night, when they take on Team Israel.

It's an unfortunate development for Chourio and Brewers fans who were excited to see him make his WBC debut this morning -- Chourio is still reportedly available to pinch run if needed -- but what's more important is that the star outfielder prioritizes his health and makes sure he's ready to go for the 2026 MLB season.