NEW YORK — The Yankees avoided what could have been a crushing setback Saturday night, but the relief did little to erase concerns about Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s health heading into October.
Chisholm left New York’s 6-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles after taking a 97 mph sinker from left-hander Grant Wolfram off his left forearm in the fifth inning. The second baseman immediately dropped his bat, lowered his head, and walked toward the dugout, holding his arm in visible pain.
The scare appeared serious, but imaging brought better news. X-rays came back negative, and CT scans also showed no damage, providing relief for a team that has seen its share of untimely injuries.
“Early signs are good,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said after the game. “Looks like it got him in the meat of the forearm.”
Medical tests provide initial relief for Chisholm
Team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad evaluated Chisholm at Yankee Stadium before the scans were conducted. The results offered a clear contrast to last season’s late injury disaster. In 2024, Anthony Rizzo fractured two fingers on a hit-by-pitch in the next-to-last regular season game, keeping him out of the ALDS.
That forced Jon Berti and Oswaldo Cabrera to learn first base during the series against Kansas City. Rizzo eventually returned for the ALCS and World Series, but he produced only one extra-base hit across both rounds.
The Yankees know they cannot afford to lose Chisholm in similar fashion. His impact since joining New York has been central to the team’s late-season push in the AL East race.
After the incident, Chisholm disappeared into the clubhouse following an examination on the dugout steps. Jose Caballero entered as a pinch runner and later handled first base duties.
Judge expresses concern about October impact
Aaron Judge, who hit his 53rd home run of the season in the win, acknowledged the significance of Chisholm’s injury scare.
“Especially this time of year, getting down to the postseason, he’s gonna be a big part of what we do in October,” Judge said. “So you never like seeing him go down in pain. You don’t know what’s gonna happen, especially when you’re hit in the forearm area. He’s a tough kid.”
Judge’s comments underscored Chisholm’s value beyond the box score. Since arriving in New York through a midseason trade, he has reshaped both the offense and defense.
On defense, his eight outs above average rank him as the Yankees’ top performer at any position this season.
Historic season adds to injury significance
The injury scare carried even more weight because of Chisholm’s remarkable 2025 campaign. He became only the third Yankee in history to record a 30-30 season, joining Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. His 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases put him in elite company.
Chisholm’s speed has also altered the Yankees’ offensive approach. His 48 stolen bases lead all of Major League Baseball, giving New York a weapon it has lacked in recent years.
The timing could not be worse. Game 162 on Sunday could decide the AL East, making every bat in the lineup vital.
Saturday’s game featured multiple scares
The hit-by-pitch was not the first concerning moment for Chisholm in the game. In the fourth inning, he fell hard on his back and left shoulder while trying to catch an errant throw from left fielder Cody Bellinger.
He leaped for the high throw and landed awkwardly on Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson. Chisholm stayed down briefly before continuing, though both incidents together raised alarm.
Wolfram’s sinker in the fifth had no intent, but the pitch’s velocity and location created a dangerous outcome when it ran inside and hit Chisholm.
Division race intensifies injury concerns
The Yankees’ fight with Toronto for the AL East crown makes Chisholm’s status even more urgent. New York does not hold the tiebreaker, leaving its division hopes dependent on Sunday’s result.
A division title would give the Yankees a bye through the Wild Card Series, buying Chisholm several extra days to heal before the Division Series. If they fall short, New York would begin a best-of-three Wild Card matchup Tuesday.
Caballero would likely serve as the replacement if Chisholm is unavailable. He has speed of his own, with 48 stolen bases this season, but his offensive profile does not match Chisholm’s production.
Boone remains optimistic about Sunday
Despite the sight of Chisholm leaving the game, Boone held a cautiously hopeful outlook.
“He’s going to get some more tests just to be sure, but we’re hopeful,” Boone said.
Boone noted that Chisholm’s availability for Game 162 would depend on how he felt in the morning. The Yankees planned to evaluate him closely before finalizing the lineup.
Chisholm was not available to reporters after the game as he underwent additional testing. The clear results from both X-rays and CT scans kept optimism alive for his potential return.
The Yankees now wait to see if their dynamic second baseman, who has fueled their late-season surge, will be ready when they need him most.
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