New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. was absent from the starting lineup against the Athletics on Thursday afternoon, with Amed Rosario filling in at second base. Chisholm pinch-ran in the seventh inning and flew out in the ninth during the Yankees' 1-0 loss. He has struggled early in the season, posting a .186/.255/.256 slash line with no home runs and three RBIs over 12 games.
Chisholm's benching comes amid cold weather in New York, where game-time temperatures dipped into the low 40s during his last two starts. The six-game homestand saw temperatures never exceed 60 degrees. After the loss to the Athletics, Chisholm's season stats reflect his challenges at the plate in chilly conditions. He entered as a pinch-runner and ended with a flyout to center field in the ninth. Chisholm compared his current numbers to last year, when he also hit .180/.255 through 12 games but finished third among Yankees position players in WAR at 4.2, with 31 home runs and 80 RBIs. > How were my numbers by season’s end? Chisholm asked. > It’s cold. It’s literally all it is. My swing feels great. When you step into that cold weather and you stand there a couple of innings, your body starts to freeze. … It’s hard to function when you can’t feel the bat. Chisholm is set to return to the lineup Friday against the Rays at Tropicana Field, where warmer conditions prevail. > We’ll see how I do in that series, and then you ask about it. … Question me in a month and a half. If I’m still with no homers after 40 games, [then come to me], Chisholm said.
