The Yankees’ infield depth faces another significant challenge as Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been diagnosed with a severe oblique strain, potentially keeping the dynamic second baseman off the diamond until June. This latest setback compounds the club’s ongoing battle with a crowded injured list.
Chisholm, who exited Tuesday’s contest against Baltimore after experiencing discomfort along his right side, initially harbored hopes that brief rest would enable a quick return to the lineup by Friday. Those expectations were swiftly dashed when Thursday’s MRI revealed a much more concerning condition than anticipated.
“He said, ‘I couldn’t believe it,’ because he feels pretty good,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters before Friday’s game. “In his mind, it’s going to be real quick, but I think it’s going to be a while.”
Medical experts typically suggest four to six weeks of recovery for high-grade oblique strains, a timeline Boone acknowledged. Nevertheless, he highlighted Chisholm’s exceptional recovery capabilities as a potential factor that could accelerate his return.
“His history is he is a quick healer,” Boone said. “So we’ll see. But that’s kind of the easy diagnosis.”
Boone referenced reliever Tyler Matzek’s similar injury earlier this season as a potential recovery benchmark. Matzek, who sustained a comparable oblique injury in February, didn’t resume competitive pitching until April 6 and rejoined the major league roster on April 22 following a brief Triple-A assignment.
The Yankees have placed Chisholm on the 10-day injury list retroactive to April 30. However, he won’t be able to play for at least four weeks.
LeMahieu’s recovery path brightens outlook
In more encouraging news, veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu continues making strides in his rehabilitation from a right calf strain that occurred during spring training. Following a brief three-day pause to receive a cortisone injection addressing right hip inflammation—the same area that sidelined him late last season—LeMahieu resumed his rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset on May 2.
Boone described the injection as “preemptive,” emphasizing that the hip flare-up was minor and not expected to delay his return significantly.
“The biggest thing right now is I want him just to get the consistent at-bats, get built up,” Boone said. “He’s had a lot of at-bats because he took a ton of live at-bats even before he started his rehab assignment.”
Through his first four appearances with Somerset, LeMahieu has impressed by going 6-for-10 with one home run and three RBIs. The Yankees hope his imminent return will provide crucial versatility, as he can contribute at both second and third-base positions.
Stanton progressing toward June return
Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, sidelined since March 24 with torn tendons in both elbows, remains on schedule for a potential June comeback. As of May 2, Stanton was in New York continuing his rehabilitation program, taking swings against high-velocity pitching machines and participating in running exercises.
Having advanced to on-field batting practice in late April, Stanton is expected to face live pitching within the coming week—a critical milestone in his recovery journey.
Relief staff injury Updates
The Yankees‘ pitching corps continues recovering from multiple early-season setbacks:
- Jake Cousins (right forearm strain): After being moved to the 60-day injured list in late March, Cousins completed a bullpen session at Yankee Stadium on April 25 and is scheduled to face live batters during the first week of May. Though eligible for reinstatement on May 26, he’s targeting an early June return.
- Clayton Beeter (rotator impingement): Following rehabilitation outings with Single-A Tampa and Double-A Somerset in April, Beeter transferred to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on May 2. He could potentially rejoin the Yankees’ bullpen before month’s end.
- Jonathan Loaisiga (post-UCL surgery): The hard-throwing reliever initiated his rehab assignment with Single-A Tampa on April 26 and is gradually building toward consecutive-day appearances. Boone estimated Loáisiga remains “several weeks away” from rejoining the major league roster.
With Chisholm likely absent for an extended period, the Yankees will require significant contributions from emerging talents like Vivas alongside continued rehabilitation progress from established veterans like LeMahieu to maintain their competitive position in the challenging AL East. Boone’s optimistic assessment regarding LeMahieu’s return, combined with the recovery trajectories of Stanton and several key pitchers, provides a glimmer of hope for a roster stretched thin by injuries.
While rehabilitation timelines remain inherently unpredictable, the Yankees organization maintains cautious optimism that June will herald the return of several impact performers currently sidelined.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
