Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s overdue shift back to second base means a massively reduced role and an uncertain future for DJ LeMahieu with the Yankees.
Aaron Boone said before Tuesday night’s series opener against the Mariners that Chisholm will play regularly at second base, his more natural position, and that LeMahieu’s physical limitations will relegate him to becoming “a bat off the bench” for now.
“It’s fluid just with our situation right now, but I want to get Jazz back there and playing and just take advantage of his athleticism there,” Boone said, acknowledging that Chisholm has been dealing with a shoulder issue. “I still maintain that he [can] play both [positions] outstanding.
“Obviously the last week was a little bit of a struggle for him over at third. I think part of that is just being a little banged up and not being able to do some of his prep work that allows him to stay on top of things at third. But I think just letting his athleticism go in the middle of the diamond, hopefully something that serves him and us well.”
DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees reacts in the dugout.Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Chisholm, who was named Sunday as an AL All-Star reserve, mostly manned third base following a trade from the Marlins last summer, but he started this season back at second until suffering an injury in late April. LeMahieu eventually took over at second following his own IL stint, with Chisholm returning to third once he was activated.
Chisholm told The Athletic last month that he still considers himself a second baseman, and that “everyone knows” that’s his best position.
“I woke this morning and saw the lineup,” Chisholm said Tuesday, adding that he had “not really” had any conversations with Boone about the switch. “I still don’t know for sure [if this is permanent]. But I always prefer to stay at one spot.”
Asked to describe his game as a second baseman, Chisholm added: “Elite defender. Elite slugging. Fast. Great defense. I don’t know what else to tell you. Sounds like a complete player to me.”
LeMahieu, 36, a three-time Gold Glove winner at second and a 2022 winner as a utilityman, has shown decreased defensive range this season.
Boone acknowledged that the veteran infielder took the demotion “not necessarily great” and that he’s not presently a candidate for time at third because of his physical limitations.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees plays the ball against the Toronto Blue Jays.Getty Images
“I think physically, it’s a challenge for him right now,” said Boone. “So, right now, no plans of [playing him at third], but we’ll see.”
If the Yankees decide to designate him for assignment, LeMahieu has the rest of this season’s salary plus $15 million guaranteed for 2026 left on his contract — about $22 million altogether. The two-time batting champion also has posted a .676 OPS this season with two home runs in 142 plate appearances.
Oswald Peraza started at third base Tuesday night, but Boone did not commit to him starting there regularly. With infielder Oswaldo Cabrera out for the season with an ankle injury, Peraza entered the game hitting just .154/.225/.262 in 57 appearances.
“It’s been a struggle offensively,” Boone said. “I think wherever you put him on the diamond, the defense has been phenomenal. He’s a really talented defender. I still think there’s that upside and talent in there offensively, too.”
As The Post’s Jon Heyman has reported, the Yanks also have been making calls to pursue a trade for an upgrade before the July 31 trade deadline, such as Colorado’s Ryan McMahon.
Yankees third baseman Oswald Peraza fields a ground ball to throw out Cincinnati Reds’ Christian Encarnacion-Strand during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Cincinnati.AP
They already signed veteran MLB infielders Jeimer Candelario and Nicky Lopez to minor league deals last week. Jorbit Vivas and Andrew Velazquez also are currently at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Backup catchers Ben Rice and J.C. Escarra also have taken grounders at third this season, but Rice never has played the position professionally. Escarra came up through the minors as an infielder, but he only has played two innings at the position in the majors
