The past few days have been mixed for the New York Yankees. While they lost their closer over the weekend, Jazz Chisholm Jr. is back on the field. The Yankees announced on Tuesday afternoon that Chisholm has concluded his rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset and is returning to action for this week’s series against the Cleveland Guardians.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
• Returned INF Jazz Chisholm Jr. (#13) from his rehab assignment and reinstated him from the 10-day injured list.
• Reinstated RHP Fernando Cruz (#63) from the 15-day injured list.
• Recalled RHP Yerry de…— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 3, 2025
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Jazz Chisholm Jr. Returns at Crucial Time for Yankees
Reinstated at the Hot Corner
Just a few hours after commencing his rehab assignment, the infielder told the media that the Yankees wanted him to return to third base, the position he undertook for the first time when New York acquired him last season. The move stems from a major lack of production at the hot corner after Oswaldo Cabrera sustained a fractured ankle on May 12.
With Oswald Peraza and DJ LeMahieu taking most of the reps at third, Jorbit Vivas took on duties at second base. While the two play acceptable defense, their lack of production on offense (combined OPS+ of 71) makes them liabilities at third. Perhaps in an effort to give both players a shot to compete for the easier position at second, putting Chisholm back at third locks down an important spot in the field and lineup.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. says he was given the choice to play third or second base, but Aaron Boone strongly indicated he’d like him to play third
“I’m a team guy. I’m here to win a ring. I’m not here to fight over positions. We’ve got some of the best players in the world on our team” pic.twitter.com/VIakYtWqTn
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) May 30, 2025
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Back in the Bronx
New York’s series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend, their first series loss since losing two out of three against the Tampa Bay Rays from May 2-4, wasn’t their only loss. Right-hander Luke Weaver, the Yanks’ closer, is reportedly out for 4-6 weeks with a hamstring strain. This means that Chisholm’s return is very welcome to a team that has quite a few starters on the injured list.
Though Chisholm hit seven home runs with an OPS of .714 before injuring his oblique in April, the former All-Star hasn’t been quite as good as he was in the latter half of 2024 with the Yankees. In 105 at-bats, he’s struck out 39 times, a staggering number considering he racked up 45 in 176 ABs with New York last year. The hope is that he can return to form after a month on the injured list; this seems to be a possibility based on his short rehab stint, going 2-for-3 with a double with Double-A Somerset.
Boost to the Bats
Having Chisholm back in the lineup is huge for the Yankees, who are embarking on a six-game homestand against the Guardians and Boston Red Sox. Additionally, the Yanks also have Fernando Cruz and Yerry de los Santos back on the roster, with both rejoining the active roster on Tuesday as well. If Chisholm is able to produce even at the same level that he did before the injury, this Yankees team should continue to establish itself as one of the top contenders in the American League.
Main Photo Credit: © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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