A Unique Situation for Jackson Chourio

Milwaukee Brewers star Jackson Chourio finds himself in an unexpected situation—stuck in his home country of Venezuela due to increasing political instability and uncertainty. The 21-year-old outfielder, one of the most promising young talents in Major League Baseball, had traveled to Venezuela to participate in the Venezuelan Winter League with the Águilas del Zulia, a familiar offseason destination for him throughout his career.

Chourio’s decision to play winter ball this year was driven by both a passion for the game and a desire to maintain his performance during the off-season. He has spent several offseasons competing in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional (LVBP), which offers not only competitive baseball but also the chance to connect with family and fans back home.

However, recent developments in Venezuela, including reported U.S. military actions targeting political power structures, have placed Chourio and other MLB players in a complex and rapidly evolving situation. The ongoing instability has raised significant concerns about safety and logistics, making it difficult for players to return to the United States.

Brewers Monitoring Safety; Return Plans in Flux

As of early January, the Brewers organization confirmed that Chourio, along with other players, remains in Venezuela, with no clear timeline for their safe return to the United States. In a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold mentioned that the club is working “hour by hour” to stay updated and coordinate departures as conditions change.

Communication challenges have further complicated matters. With airport closures, unreliable communication lines, and a rapidly shifting political landscape, the Brewers are struggling to obtain real-time information on their players’ situations. Social media posts and fan reports suggest that players like Chourio and teammate Andruw Monasterio are still in Venezuela, either competing or residing there, but official updates have been limited.

The uncertainty has shifted the focus from baseball to safety. While the LVBP season had provided a competitive and familial environment for Chourio—complete with a postseason push with Zulia alongside his brother, Jaison Chourio (a top five Cleveland Guardians prospect)—the geopolitical turmoil has forced the Brewers and their players to reassess their priorities mid-offseason.

Chourio’s Offseason Performance and Baseball Context

Before the current unrest, Chourio was enjoying a productive winter league stint, adding meaningful at-bats and staying mentally sharp after his first full MLB seasons. The Venezuelan Winter League often serves as both a developmental platform and a homecoming for Venezuelan ballplayers, helping them refine their skills while allowing local fans to watch stars up close.

According to Reviewing the Brew, “Chourio’s Venezuelan Winter League debut was delayed due to his hamstring injury, but last week he finally made his debut with just seven games left in the league’s regular season.”

There has been no indication from the Brewers that the injury is expected to impact his availability for the 2026 MLB season. Chourio’s return to game action in Venezuela suggests the issue was more precautionary than serious, with the organization likely focused on ensuring he entered spring training fully healthy rather than pushing him too quickly during winter ball.

The Chourio Family’s Impact

While Jackson’s winter league production has been slower out of the gate, with just two hits in his first 16 plate appearances, his brother Jaison has been performing exceptionally well. Jaison is slashing .327/.405/.433 through 41 games for Águilas del Zulia and delivered a standout performance Friday night, driving in seven runs in the club’s 14-3 win over the Leones de Caracas. This highlights the Chourio family’s growing influence in the Venezuelan Winter League.