New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone recently addressed Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s bold claim regarding his potential return from the injured list.
What happened
On August 11, 2024, at Yankee Stadium, Jazz Chisholm, playing as third baseman, struggled to field a ball during the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers. However, the more pressing issue was the UCL injury Chisholm sustained during the Yankees’ series against the Chicago White Sox on August 12. This led to his placement on the IL two days later, retroactive to August 13.
Despite the injury, Jazz Chisholm has confidently stated multiple times that he expects to return as soon as the 10-day IL period ends. But Boone tempered this optimism in a recent interview on the Talkin’ Yanks podcast, saying, “That might be a little ambitious,” though he did note, “The good news is [Chisholm] is feeling like that’s a possibility.”
Jazz Chisholm took some positive steps towards recovery, swinging the bat and hitting off the tee at about 50-70 percent speed for the first time during the Yankees’ off-day on Monday. The Yankees are encouraged by the strength and range of motion in Chisholm’s elbow and will monitor his progress as they gradually increase his activity.
Boone described Jazz Chisholm’s left UCL sprain as the “best case” scenario, particularly since it affects his top hand as a left-handed hitter and right-handed thrower. While initial concerns suggested surgery might be necessary, after consulting with multiple doctors, the team opted for rest and rehabilitation.
Originally, a September return was anticipated, but Jazz Chisholm’s swift progress has raised hopes for an earlier comeback. However, Boone cautioned that surgery isn’t completely ruled out until Chisholm gets back into game action. For now, the early signs are promising, and the Yankees are optimistic he could return before the season ends.
Since joining the Yankees from the Miami Marlins on July 27 ahead of the trade deadline, Jazz Chisholm has been a key contributor. In 14 games, the 26-year-old has posted a .316/.361/.702 slash line with a 1.063 OPS, seven home runs, and 11 RBIs. His solid performance at third base, a position he had never played at the major league level, has been a bonus.
While Jazz Chisholm’s 10-day IL prediction may be somewhat optimistic, his potential early return would be a significant boost for the Yankees as they push towards the postseason.
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