Baltimore — Following a disappointing 3-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone offered a candid assessment of Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s ongoing struggles, acknowledging the pressure the talented infielder is facing early in the 2026 season.
The Yankees opened a three-game series in Baltimore on the heels of a sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers. Chisholm Jr. endured another tough night at the plate, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts as the club dropped its fourth straight game. Now sitting at 26-16, New York occupies second place in the American League East.
Boone, speaking to the media after the game, did not shy away from the reality of Chisholm’s situation while expressing confidence in his eventual turnaround.
“You have high expectations and obviously, he’s an outstanding player… You sense guys feeling it when you’re a month plus in and you’re not doing what the back of your baseball card is… Probably feeling that a little bit. Probably pressing a little too much, trying to do a little too much,” Boone said. “He’s gonna get it going, I have no doubt about that.”
The 28-year-old Chisholm Jr. is batting just .201 through 41 games, with 30 hits, four home runs, 14 RBI, 17 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. The numbers represent a noticeable dip from his 2025 campaign, in which he earned All-Star honors. Now in his third season with the Yankees after being acquired from the Miami Marlins, Chisholm is still adjusting to the expectations that come with playing in New York.
Originally a product of the Marlins’ system, Chisholm spent the first four-and-a-half seasons of his career in Miami before the midseason trade to the Bronx. Across seven major league seasons, he has been selected to two All-Star Games and won a Silver Slugger Award. He played a key role in helping the Yankees reach the World Series in 2024. Chisholm will hit free agency following the 2026 season.
While Boone’s comments reflect honesty about Chisholm’s current challenges, they also carry a measured optimism. A month-plus into the season, the dynamic switch-hitter appears to be pressing in an attempt to live up to the high bar set by his past production and the Yankees’ championship aspirations. History suggests players of Chisholm’s talent and athleticism tend to find their rhythm as the season progresses, but the immediate task is to help the club snap its losing streak.
The Yankees will play two more games against the Orioles in Baltimore before traveling to Citi Field to face the crosstown New York Mets on Friday. With a 12-10 road record so far, the club will look for contributions up and down the lineup — starting with a bounce-back performance from one of its most explosive talents.
As Boone noted, the belief in Chisholm Jr. remains intact. For a Yankees team chasing another deep postseason run, getting their third-year standout back on track could prove pivotal in the weeks ahead.
