Brewers' Pat Murphy Admits Mistake, Clarifies Brice Turang, Jackson Chourio Injury News

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Wednesday that he misspoke, accidentally saying that Brice Turang had a thumb injury

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy signals during the first inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Tuesday night that second baseman Brice Turang suffered a sprained thumb during the team's loss vs. the San Diego Padres.

That made Wednesday's news that Turang was in the starting lineup against the Friars surprising.

It turns out that Murphy misspoke, saying the incorrect top-of-the-order star was injured.

"Pat Murphy clarified this morning: It’s Jackson Chourio, not Turang, who’s dealing with the thumb issue. Just misspoke last night. Turang’s fine. Chourio is in the lineup today but will test the thumb out pregame," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Brewers reporter Curt Hogg posted on Bluesky.

Jackson Chourio was in Wednesday's starting nine, leading off and playing left field, while Turang was batting second and manning second base.

Wednesday's lineup also featured the return of infielder Joey Ortiz, who missed the last three games due to a neck ailment. Ortiz was batting ninth and playing third base in the series finale vs. the Padres.

Losing Chourio Or Turang To Injury Would Be Detrimental To Brewers' Chances

Aug 1, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Jackson Chourio (11) celebrates with second baseman Brice Turang (2) after a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The news that Turang is "fine" is a massive sigh of relief for Milwaukee, but Chourio's situation will be important to monitor.

The star duo are arguably the Brewers' best position players.

Chourio is on pace to best his career high 21 home runs that he posted in each of his first two seasons in 2024 and 2025, despite missing the first 33 games of the year. Chourio has also recorded a career-best .278/.341/.480 slash line and .821 OPS in 2026 across 387 plate appearances covering 86 contests.

He even had his first career left-handed at-bat in July and nearly hit a home run.

Turang was a relatively one-dimensional player during his 2023 rookie campaign with 26 stolen bases but has turned into a legitimate five-tool star over the last two seasons.

The 2018 first-round pick was third in MLB with a career-high 50 steals in 2024 while winning a Gold Glove award and improving his slash line. Turang fully broke out in 2025 though, leading Milwaukee in a host of notable categories while finishing 14th in the NL MVP voting.

He was somehow snubbed from the NL All-Star team this summer and again paces the Brewers in numerous notable stats.

They include Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at 5.2, runs scored (74), hits (120), doubles (28), RBIs (75), walks (65) and total bases (202), among others.

Losing Chourio or Turang to injury would be detrimental to the Brewers' chances at another run to the NLCS and possible rematch with the Los Angeles Dodgers.