It took one swing, one awkward foul tip, and suddenly Jazz Chisholm Jr. was grabbing at his groin and heading for the trainer’s room. Thursday night looked scary for the Yankees. A guy who just got back into the rhythm of things down on the ground, wincing. But the panic lasted about as long as the pain apparently did.
Chisholm is back at second base and batting fifth for Friday night’s game against the Cincinnati Reds. The team made the announcement before the first pitch of a three-game home stand. So that whole thing where he had to leave Thursday’s contest? Doesn’t seem to be a long-term issue. Just a really unfortunate moment that made everyone hold their breath.
New York has been careful with this guy. He missed time earlier in the season with a different injury. They’ve been monitoring his workload. But this one appears to be one of those “day-to-day then right back out there” situations. As long as he doesn’t do it again. You know. Foul tip a 95 mph fastball directly into a very sensitive area.
Through 70 games this season, Chisholm is hitting .228 with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs. That batting average isn’t going to win any awards. But he leads the team in stolen bases with 20 and ranks fifth in both home runs and runs scored (37). He doesn’t have the raw power of Aaron Judge or Giancarlo Stanton. But the Yankees don’t have another infielder who can swipe a bag like he can. He changes the way pitchers have to think when he’s on base. That alone makes him valuable in a lineup that sometimes goes cold from the plate.
The Yankees are sitting at 45-28 heading into Friday. That’s a three-game lead in the AL East. They have their eyes on October. Chisholm has said publicly that this team is built for a World Series run. The front office clearly agrees. They’ve been operating all year like they think they’re one piece away. Having their second baseman healthy and available for every game matters more than his batting average suggests.
Friday’s game against the Reds is a chance to extend that division lead. Chisholm will be out there. Which is more than anyone could have said for sure when he went down Thursday. He was clearly in a lot of pain. But one day later, he’s back in the lineup. Sometimes that’s all you get. A bad night and then you move on.
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