LOS ANGELES — Jazz Chisholm is expected to return soon — not only to the Yankees, but to the hot corner as well.
Chisholm, working his way back from a calf strain, began a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset on Thursday. He led off, went 2 for 3 with a single, a double, a walk and two runs scored, and most notably played third base.
While Chisholm didn’t get any ground balls at third in Somerset’s 12-0 win over Akron, it sounds like he’ll get more than a few opportunities in the majors. Asked if he expects to play third when he rejoins the Yankees, Chisholm told reporters, “That’s what I’ve heard so far.”
“[Aaron Boone] gave me the choice, but he told me that he wanted me at third base,” Chisholm continued. “He really wanted me at third base. I’m a team guy. I’m here to win a ring. I’m not here to fight over positions and all that.”
Chisholm added that he only plans on playing in one or two more rehab games, setting him up for a big league return when the Yankees begin a homestand on Tuesday.
The Yankees have choices when it comes to Chisholm’s positioning, as he was the club’s starting second baseman prior to getting hurt. Oft-injured veteran DJ LeMahieu and Jorbit Vivas, a rookie, have been primarily playing second in Chisholm’s absence, but both have experience at third base, too.
Chisholm learned third base on the fly last season after the Yankees acquired him in a summer trade with the Marlins. His athleticism frequently flashed, but so did his lack of familiarity with the position’s intricacies.
Advanced metrics were divided on Chisholm at third. He graded rather well with eight Outs Above Average, but poorly with -2 Defensive Runs Saved.
Chisholm, meanwhile, spoke fondly of his initial third base experience.
“I always wanted to play third,” he said. “That’s why I liked playing third last year. As a kid, I grew up as an A-Rod fan, I wore 13 and 3 all the time as a kid. I would always play around with my old teammates coming up through the minor leagues, because I only got to play shortstop in the minor leagues. I was always like, ‘I think I would be nasty at third.’
“I always thought it was a fun position to try and play, all reaction.”
With Chisholm ready to fill the void at third, the Yankees will also welcome his bat back to their lineup. He is only hitting .181/.304/.410 this season, but his seven homers and six stolen bases gave the Yankees a power-speed threat.
“I can’t wait to get back out there and help my team win,” Chisholm said.
Jones returnsSpencer Jones played alongside Chisholm on Thursday, as the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect returned from an intercostal injury. He went 2 for 3 with a run scored, an RBI single and a double.
Jones is now hitting .242 with a .947 OPS, nine home runs and 16 RBIs over 27 games this season, his second at Double-A.
Brubaker’s strong startJT Brubaker also made an appearance at Somerset on Thursday, as the righty threw four scoreless innings in his third rehab start after fracturing his ribs in spring training.
It will be interesting to see what the Yankees do with Brubaker when his rehab assignment ends. He offers experienced starting depth, but he’s also out of minor league options and hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2022 due to injuries, including Tommy John surgery.
