Kansas City — New York Yankees third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. left Wednesday’s game with groin tightness. This marked his second consecutive early departure from games at Kauffman Stadium.
The Yankees won 6-3 over the Kansas City Royals. But Chisholm’s repeated exits have become a growing concern during what has been a successful road trip.
Tuesday night, neck stiffness forced Chisholm from the game. Wednesday’s issue involved his left groin, which tightened while he ran the bases.
The Yankees are now monitoring their starting third baseman closely. His health could impact their playoff push as summer approaches.
Second night, another problem pins Chisholm down
Chisholm drew two walks before his night ended early. The problem surfaced when he tried to advance from first to third on an Anthony Volpe double in the fifth inning.
Television cameras showed him stretching while standing on third base. He showed visible signs of discomfort. Oswald Peraza replaced him defensively when the inning ended.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone offered cautious optimism after the game.
“I think he’s OK,” Boone said. “Felt a little something in his groin. [Strength tests] and all that’s good. So we’ll see what we have [Thursday].”
Boone had expressed similar confidence Tuesday. That’s when neck stiffness sidelined Chisholm after a sixth-inning stolen base attempt. He collided with Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia’s knee during a head-first slide.
Tension lingers from previous night
Wednesday’s game passed without incident. But Chisholm’s comments after Tuesday’s collision revealed lingering frustration.
“Every time we have a problem, it’s always been him,” Chisholm said about Garcia. He added, “I didn’t like it.”
The comment referenced previous tensions between Garcia and Volpe. Those occurred during last year’s ALDS at this same ballpark.
Boone dismissed the drama as competitive fire.
“That’s just in the moment, competitiveness bubbling over,” the manager said.
Strong performance despite setbacks
Chisholm contributed before both early exits of this series. He recorded a hit and scored a run in Tuesday’s 10-2 victory. Wednesday brought two walks before his departure.
Though he went 0-for-1 officially, his plate appearances helped spark a second-inning rally. That offensive burst gave starter Clarke Schmidt early run support.
Chisholm enters with a .214/.322/.451 slash line this season. He has nine home runs, 24 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. His left-handed bat and aggressive style have energized the Yankees’ offense.
The back-to-back injuries now raise durability questions. His immediate availability remains uncertain.
Team trainers worked with him after Wednesday’s game. He was not available to speak with reporters.
Backup plan takes shape
Peraza appears ready to fill in if Chisholm misses time. The Yankees have used him in spot starts and late-game defensive situations throughout 2025.
He doesn’t match Chisholm’s offensive potential. But Peraza provides steady defense and has shown development at the plate.
The timing creates challenges for New York. The Yankees entered Wednesday with a 41-25 record. They lead the AL East and are building momentum for a championship run.
Chisholm had recently found his groove offensively. He was displaying the power-speed combination that made him an attractive acquisition.
Conservative approach expected
The Yankees appear ready to err on the side of caution. Both injuries resulted from aggressive plays rather than chronic problems.
The groin tightness came during hard baserunning. The neck soreness followed a collision on a steal attempt. Neither suggests long-term concerns.
Boone and the medical staff seem committed to careful evaluation.
“We’ll see what we have Thursday,” Boone repeated.
With a series sweep possible and momentum building, the Yankees may rest Chisholm regardless of test results. This would avoid unnecessary risks with a key player.
Critical stretch ahead
The Yankees finish the Royals series on Thursday. They then return home for games against fellow AL contenders.
Chisholm’s status for those matchups remains unclear. The team will evaluate his condition over the next day or two.
Medical staff will monitor both the groin and neck issues. Any lingering problems could force roster decisions.
Yankees fans are watching nervously. Injuries have already affected the team’s infield and outfield depth in 2025. Losing another key contributor would complicate playoff preparations.
The All-Star break approaches quickly. The club hopes to maintain its strong position without further setbacks.
Official team statements emphasize cautious optimism. But two straight early exits have created legitimate concerns throughout Yankees Nation.
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