The New York Yankees have been bitten hard by the injury bug, which has extended to star second baseman Jazz Chisholm.
The former All-Star has been manning second base following the offseason departure of Gleyber Torres, but he’s been on the shelf for the last few weeks due to an oblique injury.
Chisholm was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 2, but there were reports that the injury could take roughly a month — or longer — to recover from.
However, Chisholm made a surprising announcement Friday when speaking with reporters, stating he believes his return date is much sooner.
“Jazz said he thinks he could be back in a week and a half at the longest. Aaron Boone said that’s optimistic, not sure yet if realistic,” wrote Greg Joyce of The New York Post.
Injury updates from players should always be taken with a grain of salt, especially after Chisholm downplayed the initial diagnosis earlier in the month.
The Yankees would love to get Chisholm back in the lineup, though. The depth chart was hit hard by Oswaldo Cabrera’s gruesome injury, but the Yankees also activated DJ LeMahieu, who has played some second base upon his return.
After avoiding arbitration this offseason with a one-year, $5.85 million deal, it has been a volatile season for the 27-year-old. Chisholm is hitting just .181, but he’s also hit seven home runs while posting a respectable .714 OPS.
The Yankees currently hold the lead in the American League East so getting Chisholm back in the lineup as soon as possible would benefit the entire group.
