Jazz Chisholm Jr. (thumb) nearing return to action

It appears as though the Yankees are easing Chisholm back into action following his return from the injured list. He’ll sit against Rays’ left-hander Ian Seymour in this one with Anthony Volpe starting in his place at second base and batting seventh for the Bombers on Thursday evening in New York.

Jazz Chisholm is back from the injured list, and Boone told Talkin’ Yanks that he prefers to keep Chisholm at second base and George Lombard at shortstop. That will mean that Volpe needs to play third base in order to remain in the starting lineup, which would push Jose Caballero back to the bench. Volpe is hitting .263 in 11 games in September with one home run, seven RBI scored, and four runs scored. He’s certainly better than Ryan McMahon, but how he handles the position defensively will determine if he’s a better option than Caballero.

Chisholm returns to New York’s lineup for the nightcap of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the division-rival Rays following a nearly two-week absence recovering from a right thumb sprain. The dynamic 28-year-old power/speed combo threat has posted 19 homers and 40 steals in 134 games this season. He’s one round-tripper shy of the second 20-homer, 40-steal campaign of his career.

Anthony Volpe is starting at second base in the first game. Chisholm’s return from his sprained thumb presumably will knock Max Schuemann off the Yankees roster.

The dynamic 28-year-old infielder has been sidelined since September 9 due to a right thumb sprain but has made significant progress in his recovery over the past few days. It sounds like he should be ready to go early in the week, which will cut into the playing time of Anthony Volpe who has been seeing regular action at second base.

Based on Aaron Boone’s comments yesterday, it sounds like this may just be a minimum stint on the IL after he is shut down from baseball activities for 7-10 days. There doesn’t appear to be much danger of Chisholm missing the playoffs, but obviously given where we are in the regular season, teams in need of immediate stats can move on.

Boone elaborated that Chisholm, who is available to pinch-run off the bench during Wednesday’s contest against the Rockies, will be shut down from baseball activities for at least 7-10 days. The 28-year-old power/speed combo threat, who has racked up 19 homers and 40 steals in 134 games this season, suffered the injury on a slide into second base during the ninth inning of Tuesday’s game. There’s a chance that he’s done for the rest of the regular season with just over two weeks remaining on the calendar. Needless to say, it’s a significant loss for the Yankees as they try to overtake the Rays for the AL East division crown down the home stretch. He’ll be officially placed on the injured list before Thursday’s series finale with Anthony Volpe coming up to take his roster spot.

We’ll surely hear more about Chisholm’s thumb soon, but José Caballero is starting in his place tonight.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters Chisholm’s thumb was numb after he hurt it sliding into second base in the top of the ninth inning and he’ll undergo further evaluation to determine the severity of the issue. There probably won’t be another update on his status until Wednesday’s contest. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now.

With left-hander Robbie Ray taking the mound for the Padres, the Yankees will give Chisholm a well-deserved night off in this one. Amed Rosario will start in his place at second base and will bat third for the Bombers on Saturday evening in San Diego.