Jazz Chisholm Jr. Took a Foul Ball to the Groin and Still Won’t Wear a Cup

Jazz Chisholm Jr. left Thursday’s game against the White Sox early after a tipped foul ball caught him square in the crotch. The Yankees lost 5-1. That part wasn’t great. But the real story is what happened after.

Chisholm said the pain hit “a million” on whatever scale he was using. And then he said something that made people pay attention. He still won’t wear a cup. Never has. Never will. Not even after this.

Gary Phillips of NYDN Sports got the quote. Chisholm said cups were required in the minors. He didn’t wear one then either. He trusts himself defensively. That’s the logic. Trust your body. Protect yourself. If you get hit, it’s bad luck.

“If you ever got hit in the testicles, you would know. I’ve never worn a cup,” Chisholm said. “I’ve never got hit in the balls.. That was just unlucky.”

So now he’s been hit. He admitted the pain was enormous. And his stance hasn’t changed. That’s honestly kind of wild. A lot of guys in the league wear cups. A lot don’t. But most guys who take one to the groin reconsider the math. Chisholm isn’t most guys.

The injury and the immediate aftermath

The play happened during Chisholm’s at-bat. A foul tip redirected straight down. He dropped. Trainers came out. He walked off slowly. The Yankees said he’s fine. He’ll be back in the lineup Friday against the Reds, batting fifth against right-hander Rhett Lowder.

Missing most of a game in a tight division race isn’t ideal. But the Yankees seem unworried. Chisholm is healthy enough to play. The cup debate is just an interesting side note. Or maybe it’s the main thing depending on how you look at it.

Chisholm has had a slow start to 2026. Through 250 at-bats he’s hitting .228 with 10 homers, 30 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. The average isn’t great. But he’s been heating up lately. The power and speed are there. The plate discipline is catching up.

He’s a two-time All-Star. He plays second base and center field. He’s electric when he’s on. And apparently he’s also willing to risk serious injury rather than wear a piece of plastic and foam. That’s his call. His body. His choice. But the internet had thoughts, as the internet tends to do.