'Extremely happy' Chourio back in lineup after rolling ankle
CINCINNATI -- A day after he rolled his right ankle, Brewers rookie Jackson Chourio was back in the starting lineup Saturday. The question was whether his ankle was good, or just “good enough."
Turns out, that wasn’t the right question at all.
“Increíble,” Chourio said in Spanish while breaking into a big smile.
It’s easy to feel incredible when you’re 20 years old and surging toward the finish of a productive debut season, though Chourio and the Brewers worried for a few moments on Friday that it might be over. In Game 1 of a doubleheader sweep of the Reds, Chourio hustled to first base on a groundout and severely turned his ankle while stepping on the bag. Two members of Milwaukee’s athletic training staff walked with him back to the dugout.
But he was able to finish the game and received treatment before his teammates romped the Reds in a 14-0 win in Game 2. After that, it was a matter of how he would feel when he stood up again after a night’s sleep.
“I woke up today and didn’t really feel anything,” Chourio said.
Asked whether that came as a surprise, considering how badly hurt he initially appeared, manager Pat Murphy said, “I’m not as surprised. The first time you do an ankle like that -- I’ve rolled mine 25 times trying to play basketball. The first time you do it, it probably freaked him out. Almost like your bone comes out of the socket.”
In the end, it was just a scare.
“I felt something I hadn’t necessarily felt before,” Chourio said. “But now, today, everything is good. Everything is ready to go."
Incredibly for a young man who has been playing sports his whole life, it’s the first time Chourio can remember rolling his ankle. He feels fortunate that's just the case.
“I’m extremely happy,” Chourio said. “We’re going through a good moment here with the club, and I want to keep that going. I’m very happy I’m able to go out there and contribute.”