With the Yankees having misplaced six straight and 16 of their final 22 video games, one in every of their hottest hitters, Jazz Chisholm Jr., discovered himself out of the lineup for Sunday’s Subway Collection finale.
Aaron Boone mentioned he’s been trying to get Chisholm an off day all week, as he’s been a “little beat up” and coping with “shoulder stuff.”
“Overall, he’s doing pretty well,” the supervisor added.
Chisholm initially mentioned that his shoulder, a problem for about three weeks, has been “a little sore.” However he later mentioned it’s been “super sore.” Nonetheless, he felt he might play on Sunday and was ready to return off the bench.
“There’s nothing too crazy,” Chisholm mentioned. “I’ve been playing with it no worries, no complaints. So I won’t complain now.”
Chisholm added that he first felt the soreness after backhanding a ball and firing to first as laborious as he might.
Chisholm began the season because the Yankees’ second baseman, however he’s been enjoying third base since coming off the injured checklist — he had an indirect pressure — on June 3. The recent nook requires longer throws, however Chisholm wouldn’t blame enjoying third for his aching shoulder.
“I don’t make excuses, my guy,” he mentioned. “I just go out there and play the game that I’m blessed to play.”
Chisholm’s return to 3rd — he realized the place on the fly final summer season after being acquired from the Marlins — coincided with DJ LeMahieu’s return from a calf pressure. LeMahieu has performed third as properly, however he’s extra comfy at second at this stage of his profession.
With Chisholm at third and LeMahieu at second, nevertheless, the Yankees have two negatives of their infield after they might have only one, as Chisholm grades out properly at second base. At third, he entered Sunday with -3 Outs Above Common and 6 errors. All had been of the throwing selection, with three coming in his final 4 video games.
Chisholm did say that his shoulder has bothered him extra when throwing than hitting, however he as soon as once more declined to make excuses when requested if his soreness has led to his poor throws.
“I’ll never use anything as an excuse, ever,” Chisholm mentioned. “So I would never say it contributes to that. Yeah, my arm was sore. But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t make a play.”
Chisholm has been getting therapy on daily basis, and he mentioned carrying KT tape has helped “a little bit.”
On the plate, he’s appeared high quality. Getting into Sunday, Chisholm had a .308 common, .969 OPS, eight house runs and 21 RBI since coming off the IL.
“I can’t complain when I’ve been hitting great and not playing great defense,” Chisholm mentioned, “so I can’t blame my arm.”
SCHLITTLER SOON?
With Clarke Schmidt anticipated to bear Tommy John surgical procedure, Aaron Boone and Matt Blake mentioned {that a} closing determination has not been made on pitching prospect Cam Schlittler making his main league debut this coming week.
“But he’s certainly in that consideration,” Boone added.
If the membership does promote Schlittler, it could be for Tuesday or Wednesday’s house recreation in opposition to the Mariners. The righty, MLB.com’s Tenth-best Yankees prospect, impressed the group throughout his first massive league camp within the spring. A 2.38 ERA and 64 strikeouts over 53 innings at Double-A not too long ago earned him a promotion to Triple-A.
Schlittler has a 3.80 ERA and 35 strikeouts over 23.2 innings at Triple-A up to now. Whereas he struggled in his final begin, surrendering six earned runs over 2.1 innings, the Yankees are excessive on the 24-year-old.
“We really liked his competitive nature,” Blake mentioned. “We got to see quite a few outings in spring training going against some A lineups, somewhat by design and somewhat by just circumstances. So it kind of worked out that he had four or five starts against some regular lineups. And then I think the big thing is he’s got a quality fastball he can lean on as an anchor to his arsenal. And then he’s got a couple different breaking balls that he mixes in to lefties and righties. So he can attack two different sides of the plate.”
The Yankees have skilled choices in Carlos Carrasco and Allan Winans at Triple-A, however they’ve pitched poorly within the majors this yr. In addition they have below-average stuff.
CANDELARIO AND OTHER MINOR MOVES
With third base an space of concern — Chisholm would return to second with LeMahieu shifting to a bench function in an ideal world — the Yankees signed Jeimer Candelario to a minor league deal on Saturday. He was assigned to Triple-A.
The Reds not too long ago launched Candelario, although they owe him roughly $22.5 million, after he returned from a backbone harm and posted a .113 common and .410 OPS over 22 video games. The 31-year-old New York native has hit .207 with a .660 OPS since 2024 started, however he hit .251 with an .807 OPS, 39 doubles, 22 homers and 70 RBI in 2023.
“Obviously, a guy with a really good track record,” Boone mentioned of Candelario, who has a barely above-average .726 OPS for his profession. “Has struggled a little bit with some injuries this year, up and down a little bit last year season-wise. But a guy that’s always been a pretty good hitter in this league, pretty good player in this league, and not at an age where he’s old by any means. So an opportunity to just add some depth and see what we have down there.”
Candelario, who has additionally performed first, shouldn’t be a powerful defender at third. Whereas he has one OAA over a small pattern this season, he had -6 OAA on the sizzling nook in 2024.
Candelario is one in every of a number of minor league signings the Yankees have made this previous week. In addition they added veteran infielder Nicky Lopez, a lightweight hitter who can play throughout, and Joel Kuhnel, a reliever who hasn’t had a lot massive league success however has a knack for inducing groundballs.
The Yankees additionally traded Tripe-A catcher Alex Jackson to the Orioles on Sunday for worldwide signing bonus pool cash and a participant to be named later or money issues.
