Yankees’ latest Chisholm plan puts infield dynamics at stake

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ANAHEIM — The New York Yankees are preparing for a positional pivot as Jazz Chisholm Jr. nears his return from the injured list. Chisholm, sidelined since April 29 with a high-grade right oblique strain, is set to begin a rehab assignment Thursday with Double-A Somerset — but not at his usual spot on the diamond.

Instead of returning to second base, where he’s spent most of his Major League career, Chisholm will be tested at third base, a position he played after arriving in New York last July but hasn’t manned since the World Series.

Manager Aaron Boone hinted at a potential shift in the Yankees’ infield alignment.

“We’ll see,” Boone said. “I want him to work over there this week and in his games over there, keep that flexibility. Then we’ll make a decision one way or the other.”

Following Gleyber Torres’ free agency departure, the Yankees repositioned Chisholm at second base, a spot he views as his most comfortable defensive home. Throughout his career, he has accumulated 196 appearances at the position, including 185 as a starter.

During spring training, Chisholm confidently predicted that he and shortstop Anthony Volpe would top MLB in double-play conversions. He and Volpe established an impressive middle infield partnership before injury sidelined the former.

Yankees weigh flexibility amid injury fallout

The timing of Chisholm’s rehab stint coincides with a critical stretch for the Yankees’ infield. Oswaldo Cabrera, the Opening Day third baseman, is out for the season after suffering a devastating ankle fracture on May 13. Oswald Peraza, a slick fielder but light bat, has since taken over the hot corner, entering Wednesday hitting just .165 with three homers and 10 RBIs.

Chisholm’s shift back to third base would allow DJ LeMahieu to remain at second, where he’s looked revitalized since returning from injury on May 13. LeMahieu, who won three Gold Gloves at second base, has exclusively played there this season. He’s batted .206 in 11 games and made key defensive contributions, including a heads-up play in Tuesday’s ninth-inning win over the Angels.

“There’s so many more things that go into it,” Boone said of the looming decision. “It could be an evolving situation.”

A familiar shuffle for Chisholm

The idea of positional flexibility isn’t new for Chisholm. Since debuting with the Marlins, he’s shifted from second base to center field, then back to second before being traded to the Yankees. After last year’s deadline deal, the Yankees asked him to try third base — a position he had never played professionally. He embraced the challenge.

In 45 starts at third base last season, Chisholm posted a .940 fielding percentage and -2 Defensive Runs Saved, per FanGraphs. He also tallied a strong +6 rating in Outs Above Average, reflecting his range and raw athleticism at a demanding position.

“He just wants to win. He wants a ring. That’s his focus,” Boone said. “He came in last week and asked, ‘Where do you want me this week?’”

While his glove showed promise, his offensive numbers have dipped. Chisholm was hitting just .181 with seven homers and a 101 OPS+ in 30 games before the injury. Still, his left-handed bat remains one of the few power threats in a righty-heavy Yankees lineup.

LeMahieu’s revival complicates Yankees decision

LeMahieu, 36, has shown signs of his former self. He launched a home run in his second game back and recorded four hits in his first 12 at-bats, though he’s cooled off lately. More importantly, he looks comfortable and confident at second — something Boone is reluctant to disrupt.

Advanced metrics support LeMahieu’s effectiveness. Though his Defensive Runs Saved at third last season was -1, he ranked ninth in Outs Above Average at the position. His hands and instincts make him a stabilizing force anywhere in the infield.

Yet, like Chisholm, LeMahieu prefers second base.

“I feel really comfortable right now,” LeMahieu said this week. “I’m sure we’ll deal with it when we get there.”

Neither player has been officially told what role they’ll play upon Chisholm’s return. But with Cabrera sidelined, and Peraza struggling at the plate, the Yankees are clearly leaning toward maximizing their infield defense — even if that means an unconventional fit.

Peraza’s future and the utility equation

Peraza’s elite glove has never been in question, but his offense continues to lag. That puts the 23-year-old in a tough spot. He may see reduced playing time or shift to a utility role if Chisholm proves capable of handling third base again.

There’s also Jorbit Vivas, called up after Cabrera’s injury, but he’s not seen as a long-term fix at third. That’s why the Chisholm-LeMahieu decision is pivotal to how Boone balances offense, defense, and positional comfort.

Yankees seeking stability during AL East push

With the Yankees firmly in the AL East race, every defensive alignment and lineup tweak matters. Boone emphasized that this isn’t a one-time move but part of a fluid plan designed to get the most from a roster battered by early-season injuries.

“In the end, I’m still not exactly sure how I want to go,” Boone admitted. “It could be an evolving situation.”

For now, Chisholm at third appears to be the frontrunner — not necessarily by design, but by necessity. Whether it sticks may depend on how both he and LeMahieu perform over the next few weeks.

But one thing is clear: The Yankees are leaning on adaptability to preserve their early momentum. Chisholm’s versatility — and attitude — could prove vital in a stretch where health and chemistry might be the difference between October baseball and disappointment.

Timeline for Chisholm’s return

Chisholm is scheduled to play third base on Thursday and possibly Saturday for Somerset. He could DH on Sunday. If all goes well, he might rejoin the Yankees as early as next week.

He’s reportedly pain-free and eager to return.

“I’m ready to go back out there,” Chisholm said ahead of his rehab stint.

Chisholm may return to the Yankees lineup at Yankee Stadium on Friday as the team will begin a three-game set with the Chicago White Sox. Eyes will be on the scoreboard — and the infield chart — as Boone fine-tunes the blueprint.

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