Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. delivers bold statement on injury return timeline

New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. is not having a banner year, as he's slashing .232/.312/.403 over 134 games, all below his career averages.

However, the 28-year-old still has confidence.

On Thursday, Chisholm touted his "healing abilities" when discussing his thumb injury, per The Bergen Record's Pete Caldera.

"Jazz Chisholm Jr. (right thumb sprain) says he’s 'confident in my healing abilities' and anticipates being able to resume playing before the Yankees’ regular season is out," he reported.

The former Miami Marlin landed on the 10-day IL on Thursday, a day after hurting his thumb sliding into second base.

He was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double during the eighth inning of the Yankees' 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies.

Chisholm has just over two weeks to return by the end of the regular season, which New York will cap off with a home matchup against the Baltimore Orioles on Sep. 27.

Meanwhile, the Yankees will have a decision to make if fellow infielder Anthony Volpe is productive in the veteran's stead.

Anthony Volpe could take Jazz Chisholm's starting spot

George Gaza / Stringer

New York replaced Chisholm with Volpe on the active roster on Thursday, giving the latter player a chance to maintain his momentum from Triple-A.

The 2019 first-round pick hit .295 with 10 homers, seven doubles, and 21 RBIs at that level from August 7 to Sept. 7 after hitting just .240 with one homer, 19 RBIs, and a .646 OPS across 56 big-league games entering Thursday night.

The Yankees promoted top prospect George Lombard Jr. to replace Volpe at shortstop, and he's since slashed .240/.299/.674 with three homers and 11 RBIs across 28 contests. 

However, Volpe took reps at second and third base in his recent Triple-A stint, and he'll play second against the Rockies on Thursday, with Lombard at shortstop.

It's the 25-year-old's first time playing second at the top level.

If Volpe stays hot at the plate, New York could run with that middle infield combination even when Chisholm returns.

The latter player also needs to end his campaign on a high note before hitting free agency this offseason, which would increase his value before signing his next contract.

Chisholm looked like a potential long-term piece for the Yankees in 2025, as he notched an .813 OPS with 31 homers, 80 RBIs and 31 stolen bases over 130 games.

The 5-foot-11,184-pounder became just the third player in franchise history with 30-plus homers and 30-plus stolen bases in a season.

He's followed up with a career-high-tying 40 swiped bags this year, but his hitting numbers are down across the board.

If Volpe excels over the coming weeks, New York could also try Chisholm at third again.

He made his MLB debut at the position after the club acquired him from Miami at the 2024 trade deadline.

Fellow left-handed hitter Ryan McMahon is currently the Yankees' primary third baseman, who's slashing just .213/.280/.358 with 10 homers and 33 RBIs across 113 games.

The former Rockie shares the hot corner with right-handed hitter Amed Rosario, who's slashing .238/.282/.419 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs over 82 contests. 

Chisholm could replace McMahon against right-handed pitchers if the latter player hits worse than Volpe over the next few games.

Regardless, New York needs as much offensive help as possible as it tries to catch up to the Tampa Bay Rays atop the American League East.

It entered Thursday night 3.5 games behind them for first place.

Yankees southpaw Max Fried (4-4, 2.73 ERA) will start against Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner (5-9, 5.91 ERA) on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. ET on YES Network.