Chisholm Jr. Misses Another Playoff Start
Jazz Chisholm Jr. anticipated being in the Yankees lineup for the opening game of the AL wild card series for the second consecutive year. However, once again, he found himself on the sidelines.
With the opposing Red Sox starting lefty Payton Tolle, manager Aaron Boone opted to have right-handed hitter Anthony Volpe at second base instead of the left-handed Chisholm. This decision paid off, as Volpe contributed with a 1-for-3 performance and a sacrifice bunt in the Yankees’ decisive 9-0 victory.
“It’s a tough call there, one I deliberated on the last couple of days, but ultimately this is the way I wanted to go in this first one,” Boone noted to reporters before the game.
Last year, Chisholm expressed his frustration quite overtly about not playing against lefty Garrett Crochet, notably turning his back during postgame interviews to signal his displeasure.
This year’s scenario, Boone reflected, involved “different scenarios, circumstances.” Chisholm had only played three games since returning from the injured list due to a thumb sprain, while Volpe made quite an impression during his call-up from Triple-A. Boone acknowledged that it’s okay for players to feel upset at times when they aren’t in the lineup.
“I essentially just texted him, like, ‘Hey, you might be the most important person in the building tonight. We need you to be ready to go for the biggest spot, potentially,’ ” Boone said. He added that Chisholm will be crucial for the team’s potential playoff run.
Chisholm is expected to return to the lineup for Game 2 against Red Sox righty Sonny Gray. It’s been a challenging season for him, especially as a pending free agent, with his performance fluctuating before he hit a streak, only to get sidelined by his recent injury.
Amed Rosario also took the field for Game 1, starting at third base and finishing with an 0-for-1 outing that included a walk against Tolle before being substituted in the fifth inning. Rosario struggled during the regular season, hitting just .208 with a .606 OPS against left-handers, yet the Yankees have continued to give him chances.
“I know his numbers haven’t been as great as they have been the last few years against lefties, but if you dig a little deeper, he’s really been consistent with who he is; he just hasn’t gotten the results,” Boone explained. “But I feel he’s a real threat.”
Though José Caballero could have filled the third base position instead of Rosario, the Yankees seem to appreciate his versatility as a valuable bench player. Caballero stands out as a top option for pinch-running on a roster predominantly featuring pitchers.
In the bullpen, the final spot came down to left-handers Ryan Yarbrough or Tim Hill, with Yarbrough getting the nod due to his ability to provide length if necessary. Hill, known for being a specialist with some susceptibility to home runs late in the season, might make a return if the Yankees advance.
Ryan Weathers, another lefty who was omitted from the roster due to a flexor strain, could also be added later on. He underwent a live pitching session during Monday’s workout while building up his strength, which might allow for more availability if the Yankees reach the ALDS.
Boone mentioned, “If we go on a long run here, I feel like Weathers could play a massive role for us.”
Trent Grisham made the playoff roster despite being out with a hamstring strain for the last three weeks of the regular season. He came in to play the final two innings in center field after substituting for Luis García Jr. when Heliot Ramos was pinch-hit for.
When asked if Grisham would be the starter in center for Game 2 against Gray, Boone responded, “Not necessarily.”
