NEW YORK, N.Y., August 23, 2024 — The New York Yankees are set to activate Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the injured list on Friday ahead of their series opener against the Colorado Rockies. There was an initial fear that Chisolm, who was diagnosed with a left UCL sprain earlier this month, could potentially require season-ending surgery. But all along, the 26-year-old super utilityman was confident he could avoid surgery and return after the 10-day minimum.
“We’re definitely going to avoid surgery,” Chisholm told the New York Post’s Greg Joyce. “It’s 100 percent realistic in my mind that at the end of the 10 days, I’ll be back.”
Chisholm has given the Yankees’ offense a major spark since coming over from the Marlins ahead of the trade deadline. In 14 games in pinstripes, Chisholm slashed .316/.361/.702 with a 1.063 OPS, seven homers and 11 RBI. He also stepped up as the Yankees’ new third baseman, a position he has no experience playing in the majors. After a few days of rest and rehab, Chisholm started playing catch during the Yankees three-game series in Detroit. He was fielding grounders over the weekend before getting back outside for batting practice on Wednesday.
Chisholm’s swift recovery is a great sign for the Yankees amid a tight race with the Orioles for the division. Barring a last-minute change of plans, Chisholm will slot back in at third base for Friday’s series opener against Colorado. Oswald Peraza, who New York optioned back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, and Oswaldo Cabrera have held down the hot corner in Chisholm’s absence.
Chisholm is just the first of the reinforcements expected to return to a depleted Yankee infield soon. Both Anthony Rizzo and Jon Berti are scheduled to begin rehab assignments at some point this weekend. New York will need the extra offensive firepower as they set their sights on a deep run in October.
