New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. believes that he can accelerate his rehab time, while his manager doesn’t. To paraphrase a recent sports axiom, players play and shooters shoot. Chisholm, the wiry Bronx sparkplug, looks far ahead of schedule. Add in the healing powers of his youth and exuberance, and the player believes that a return is almost imminent.
Rightfully throwing cold water on the proclamation is a manager who understands the marathon aspect of the baseball season. Furthermore, understanding what the former All-Star means to the long-term success of his team, management will take a slower, cautious, conservative tact when dealing with the standout’s recovery.
Jazz Chisholm’s Self-Projected Recovery Doesn’t Align with Aaron Boone’s Thought Process
When Chisholm suffered an oblique strain, conventional wisdom was he’d return in anywhere between four and six weeks. The energetic infielder doesn’t want to sit and rest as the timetable suggests, and his team prefers. To anyone who knows him, the charismatic athlete is who Chisholm is, and the coaches look at him for a spark.
Chisholm changes the dynamic of the clubhouse based on his attitude and team-first approach that brings teammates together. New York Post writer Greg Joyce documented Chisholm taking grounders. Also, he detailed what Boone thought about a rapid return.
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. https://t.co/xT8tXfl6Xe
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) May 16, 2025
The Yankees should take the cautious route with their injured second baseman, allowing for him to return when he’s fully healed. The organization needs to ignore what Chisholm says and see how he performs in drills, running, and at the plate.
At the same time, you can see why he can hopefully return sooner rather than later. None of the alternatives panned out. Jorbit Vivas and Pablo Reyes hit a combined .083. As a result, whoever is at second base at the moment looks like a guaranteed out at this point.
With four games separating the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, the team cannot help but wonder how a healthy Chisholm extends that lead. Nevertheless, with a team stacked with power threats and talent, Boone can ride out the injury as long as needed. Plus, before the injury, Chisholm struggled, hitting .181. Under those circumstances, time away from the lineup can help him in a myriad of ways.
First, getting a reprieve away from the pressure cooker of the Bronx will do him a world of good. Baseball, as noted by many, remains a game that is partially rooted in the mental aspect. Next, the team will hope that Chisholm modifies his aggressiveness at the plate, because you cannot pull every pitch. Lastly, the rehab stint in May would not hurt as much as one in September.