Yankees want Jazz Chisholm Jr. to fix ‘alarming’ issue during IL stint

The New York Yankees sit atop their division with a winning record despite some harsh injury luck.

Before the season even started, the team lost franchise ace Gerrit Cole for the whole year, which was shortly followed by a significant injury to reigning American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil. Persistent injuries to veterans Giancarlo Stanton and DJ LeMahieu might not be surprising, but they don’t help.

Now the team will have to endure an injured list stint for infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., who will be recovering from an oblique strain. But the Yankees are looking for the young player to do more than just get his body healed during his time away from the team.

“The Yankees hope that Chisholm also uses the time off to reset himself at the plate,” according to The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty. “He’s been inconsistent. While he has hit seven home runs, he’s also hitting just .181 with a .304 on-base percentage and a .714 OPS, which is below his career average of .755.”

Chisholm was a major boost in the Yankees’ run to the World Series after the team acquired him in a trade with the Miami Marlins last year. His ability to play around the diamond has been critical, as he filled in at third base during the 2024 campaign and then took over second base for Gleyber Torres this season.

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But his production at the plate has become a cause for concern as the team was counting on him to carry the middle of its batting order.

“The Yankees had hoped Chisholm’s powerful lefty swing would be protection in the middle of the lineup for right-hander Paul Goldschmidt,” Kuty added. “Instead, he’s struck out an alarming 39 times in 105 at-bats.”

If the Yankees hope to return to the World Series with better results this season, a healthy and productive Chisholm will be key.

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