LOS ANGELES – Jazz Chisholm is anticipated to return quickly – not solely to the Yankees, however to the recent nook as effectively.
Chisholm, working his method again from a calf pressure, started a rehab task with Double-A Somerset on Thursday. He led off, went 2-for-3 with a single, a double, a stroll and two runs scored, and most notably performed third base.
Whereas Chisholm didn’t get any groundballs at third in Somerset’s 12-0 win over Akron, it seems like he’ll get various alternatives within the majors. Requested if he expects to play third when he rejoins the Yankees, Chisholm instructed reporters, “That’s what I’ve heard so far.”
“[Aaron Boone] gave me the choice, but he told me that he wanted me at third base,” Chisholm continued. “He really wanted me at third base. I’m a team guy. I’m here to win a ring. I’m not here to fight over positions and all that.”
Chisholm added that he solely plans on enjoying in a single or two extra rehab video games, setting him up for an enormous league return when the Yankees start a homestand on Tuesday.
The Yankees have selections in terms of Chisholm’s positioning, as he was the membership’s beginning second baseman previous to getting harm. Oft-injured veteran DJ LeMahieu and Jorbit Vivas, a rookie, have been primarily enjoying second in Chisholm’s absence, however each have expertise at third base, too.
Chisholm discovered third base on the fly final season after the Yankees acquired him in a summer season commerce with the Marlins. His athleticism incessantly flashed, however so did his lack of familiarity with the place’s intricacies.
Superior metrics had been divided on Chisholm at third. He graded quite effectively with eight Outs Above Common, however poorly with -2 Defensive Runs Saved.
Chisholm, in the meantime, spoke fondly of his preliminary third base expertise.
“I always wanted to play third,” he mentioned. “That’s why I preferred enjoying third final yr. As a child, I grew up as an A-Rod fan, I wore 13 and three on a regular basis as a child. I might at all times mess around with my previous teammates arising by means of the minor leagues, as a result of I solely received to play shortstop within the minor leagues. I used to be at all times like, ‘I think I would be nasty at third.’
“I always thought it was a fun position to try and play, all reaction.”
With Chisholm able to fill the void at third, the Yankees may also welcome his bat again to their lineup. He’s solely hitting .181/.304/.410 this season, however his seven homers and 6 stolen bases gave the Yankees a power-speed risk.
“I can’t wait to get back out there and help my team win,” Chisholm mentioned.
Spencer Jones Returns
Spencer Jones performed alongside Chisholm on Thursday, because the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect returned from an intercostal harm. He went 2-for-3 with a run scored, an RBI single and a double.
Jones is now hitting .242 with a .947 OPS, 9 residence runs and 16 RBI over 27 video games this season, his second at Double-A.
Brubaker’s Robust Begin
JT Brubaker additionally made an look at Somerset on Thursday, because the righty threw 4 scoreless innings in his third rehab begin after fracturing his ribs in spring coaching.
Will probably be fascinating to see what the Yankees do with Brubaker when his rehab task ends. He affords skilled beginning depth, however he’s additionally out of minor league choices and hasn’t pitched within the massive leagues since 2022 as a consequence of accidents, together with Tommy John surgical procedure.
