Jazz Chisholm Jr. Set to Return Soon for Yankees After Injury
Bahamian professional baseball player Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. is expected to begin a rehab assignment and could return to the New York Yankees as early as the first week of June. Chisholm suffered multiple tears in the oblique muscle on his right side during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at the end of April and was initially expected to be out for four to six weeks. This marks four weeks since the injury.
Chisholm remains optimistic about his recovery and return. Through 30 games this season, he has posted a batting line of .181/.304/.410, with seven home runs, 17 RBIs, 17 runs scored, and six stolen bases.
At 27, Chisholm has started every game at second base this year. His temporary replacement, DJ LeMahieu, is a three-time Gold Glove winner and one of only two players in modern MLB history to win batting titles in both the American and National Leagues. LeMahieu has appeared in 10 games this season with a batting line of .233/.303/.333, one home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored, recovering from a hip impingement and calf strain.
Though LeMahieu is a proven veteran, a healthy Chisholm is expected to reclaim the everyday second base position. Offensively, LeMahieu hits for average, but Chisholm offers more power and speed, boasting seven home runs and six stolen bases in seven attempts. LeMahieu, at 36, rarely attempts steals and hasn’t reached double-digit steals in nine years, while Chisholm stole 40 bases last season.
Defensively, both players show strong skills. Chisholm currently holds a .973 fielding percentage at second base, while LeMahieu, in limited action, has not committed an error this season.
Other players filling the position this year have not matched the performance levels of Chisholm or LeMahieu.
The Yankees are currently in good form, having won eight of their last 10 games heading into their Memorial Day matchup against the Los Angeles Angels. They hold a 32-20 record, leading the American League East by six games over the Tampa Bay Rays, and have the second-best record in the league.
Chisholm has already begun taking batting practice and looks ready for a return. Yankees manager Aaron Boone described him as “asymptomatic” and indicated he might play one or two minor league rehab games before rejoining the major league roster.
Chisholm was acquired by the Yankees in a trade with the Miami Marlins last year. He is currently on a one-year contract with the Yankees, avoiding arbitration, and will become a free agent at the end of the season.
