Jazz

Chisholm Jr.

It’s notable that second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. did not receive a qualifying offer from New York. Bednar figures to have plenty of potential landing spots on the open market. However, a return to the Yankees on a long-term deal seems like the most logical solution for both sides. The 32-year-old stopper converted 35 of 39 saves along with a stellar 2.47 ERA across 69 1/3 innings this past season.

This isn’t a big surprise, but it’s noteworthy to hear it reported so bluntly. The Yankees will need to find replacements both at second base and center field, and the internal options for both, as Castillo reports, are uncertain, so the team may be looking to free agency for both positions.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone is sticking with the same lineup that was shutout by Rays ace Drew Rasmussen, who carried a no-hit bid into the eighth inning, and closer Bryan Baker in a Game 1 defeat. It’ll be eight left-handed batters getting a look at Freddy Peralta as he makes his Tampa Bay postseason debut in this one. Here’s the full lineup: Ben Rice (DH), Cody Bellinger (LF), Luis García Jr. (1B), Spencer Jones (RF), George Lombard Jr. (SS), Chisholm (2B), Trent Grisham (CF), Austin Wells (C) and Ryan McMahon (3B).

After clobbering the Red Sox for 18 runs in a pair of contests during the AL Wild Card Series, New York’s offense never got in sync against Rays ace Drew Rasmussen, who allowed just three baserunners and took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning. Chisholm figures to start every game for the remainder of the series with right-handers Freddy Peralta and Nick Martinez set to follow for Tampa Bay.

Garcia sat out Game 1 against left-hander Payton Tolle, but will be in the lineup with Sonny Gray on the hill. Jazz Chisholm will also start at second base and bat sixth, and Trent Grisham will play center field and bat seventh. George Lombard Jr. will be the only right-handed hitter in the lineup, but there could be plenty of turnover if the Red Sox go to a left-handed reliever out of the bullpen.

Chisholm will not get the nod at second base with left-hander Peyton Tolle on the bump for the Red Sox. Paul Goldschmidt will hit leadoff at first base, and Anthony Volpe will get the start at second with Chisholm on the bench. The full lineup for the Yankees: 1B Goldschmidt, DH Ben Rice, RF Heliot Ramos, LF Cody Bellinger, SS George Lombard Jr., 3B Amed Rosario, 2B Volpe, CF Spencer Jones and Austin Wells behind the plate with Cam Schlitter on the mound.

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.