The Yankees placed Jazz Chisholm on the 15-day injured list after an MRI revealed three high-grade tears in his oblique, a development that caught the second baseman completely off guard.
“I was super surprised when I saw the results,” Chisholm said.
Despite the concerning diagnosis, the 27-year-old insists the injury isn’t as serious as it appears. “It’s not as bad as it looks on the scan,” he added, expressing confidence in a relatively quick return to the lineup.
New York called up infielder Jorbit Vivas to fill Chisholm’s spot while he recovers. It’s a significant blow for a Yankees team already battling numerous injuries early this season.
Chisholm’s first full month in pinstripes has been a mixed bag. While his .181 batting average doesn’t jump off the page, he’s launched seven home runs and maintained a respectable .714 OPS. The power numbers are there, but contact has been an issue — his 35.1% whiff rate and 31.2% strikeout rate both rank among the worst in baseball (sixth and seventh percentiles).
What can’t be questioned is the defensive upgrade he’s provided over Gleyber Torres at second base. Chisholm’s range and athleticism have transformed the Yankees’ infield defense since arriving from Miami at last year’s trade deadline.
The former All-Star avoided arbitration this offseason by signing a one-year, $5.85 million deal with New York. His production hasn’t matched what he delivered during his electric second half last season after the trade, but the Yankees will certainly miss his defensive prowess and power potential while he’s sidelined.
The timeline for Chisholm’s return remains unclear, though his optimistic tone suggests he’s targeting a return close to when he’s eligible to come off the IL.
