Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. was not in the starting lineup against the Athletics on April 10, as Amed Rosario took his place. Chisholm has been struggling at the plate, recording a .186 batting average with no home runs and three RBIs over 12 games.
Chisholm’s early-season performance has drawn attention due to his low offensive numbers. The player said he experienced a similar start last year but finished strong, ending up third among Yankees position players in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) according to Baseball Reference, with a career-high 31 home runs and 80 RBIs.
When asked about his current slump, Chisholm pointed to the cold weather as a factor affecting his play. He noted that recent game temperatures were in the low 40s and that it had not reached 60 degrees during their six-game homestand. “It’s cold. It’s literally all it is,” Chisholm said. “My swing feels great. When you step into that cold weather and you stand there a couple of innings, your body starts to freeze.”
Despite acknowledging the challenges of playing in chilly conditions, Chisholm clarified he was not making excuses for his performance: “I’m not using that as an excuse. I said the same thing last year. As soon as the weather heats up, I heat up.” He added, “It’s hard to function when you can’t feel the bat.”
Chisholm is expected to return to action Friday when the Yankees face the Rays at Tropicana Field—a venue known for its warmer climate compared to New York’s early spring conditions.
Looking ahead, Chisholm suggested patience regarding his season outlook: “We’ll see how I do in that series, and then you ask about it,” he said. “We are 11 games in and we are in Game 12… Question me in a month and a half. If I’m still with no homers after 40 games, [then come to me].”
