Yankees Notes: Jazz Chisholm Jr. to return during final homestand, Ryan Weathers unlikely to pitch before playoffs

Yankees manager Aaron Boone delivered some injury updates ahead of Friday’s series opener with the Diamondbacks in Arizona…

Jazz returning soon

Although the Yankees are losing Aaron Judge, likely, for the remainder of the regular season, they’ll be activating Jazz Chisholm Jr. very soon.

Boone confirmed that the second baseman will return to the club during the team’s final homestand, which starts Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees skipper said Chisholm is doing well and Friday was his fourth day in a row hitting. He’s done a couple of days of throwing already and is “really close.”

Chisholm was placed on the IL back on Sept. 10 with a sprained thumb after he jammed it sliding head-first into second base. 

The Yankees infielder was on a tear before he was injured, slashing .375/.464/.500 with a home run over his last seven games. For the season, he’s batting .232/.312/.403 with an OPS of .715 to go along with his 19 home runs, 40 stolen bases and 55 RBI. 

The return of Chisholm would raise some questions regarding the team’s roster. While Chisholm could take over for Max Schuemann, who is being called up to take Judge’s spot, Anthony Volpe has been playing second base almost regularly in Chisholm’s stead. How Boone juggles the playing time for both players will be worth monitoring.

Bad Weathers

On the other side of the return spectrum, LHP Ryan Weathers is “unlikely” to pitch before the end of the regular season, Boone revealed. 

Weathers was placed on the IL in late August due to a left forearm flexor strain, and although the southpaw has made strides, there’s not enough time on the regular season calendar to get him on the mound before the postseason starts. Boone did say that Weathers will have another side session on Saturday, and that could determine whether the team will use him in the playoffs.

“We’ll see what our needs are and how he looks, and if we feel like he’s ready to come in and be a contributor,” Boone said.

In 25 starts this season, Weathers has pitched to a 3.60 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. His last seven starts have been tremendous, though, pitching to a 2.27 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. 

Grisham rising

And finally, Trent Grisham is nearing a return as well.

Boone said the veteran outfielder is “pretty far” into his running progression and is doing well. He could be in play to be activated before the end of the season. 

Grisham was placed on the IL on Sept. 5 with a right hamstring strain, the same injury he suffered back in June this season. If Grisham is able to return on the upcoming homestand, Boone will, again, have to juggle the roster as Spencer Jones and Heliot Ramos have played regularly in his absence. Though Judge’s injury gives Grisham a runway to start, especially against right-handers.

In 121 games this season, Grisham is slashing .211/.308/.395 with an OPS of .703.