Per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, Chisholm is really frustrated. “If I knew, I would already have fixed the problem. Even when I think I’m getting going hitting, it’s still an out.” Chisholm literally doesn’t know what to do to solve this rough patch.

Aaron Boone even warned Jazz Chisholm for missed opportunities. The sun is coming down on the second baseman. Hence, he either steps up his level or his days as part of the Bronx Bombers could be on a countdown.

Chisholm’s 2026 MLB stats

Jazz Chisholm Jr. is having a tough 2026 season with the New York Yankees, marked by a significant drop in his offensive numbers and a recent slump in production. So, what are his numbers in 2026?

• Batting Average: Down to .216
• On-Base Percentage (OBP): .296
• Slugging Percentage (SLG): .391
• OPS: .687 (down over .120 points from his previous form)
• Home Runs & RBI: 17 home runs and 48 RBIs through 112 games

Who can replace Jazz Chisholm?

Luis Garcia Jr. is the primary option to replace Jazz Chisholm Jr. Following his acquisition in a trade, Garcia can step in at second base or rotate through the infield and designated hitter spots as Chisholm heads toward unrestricted free agency.

Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Sato is the top hitter in the NPB by OPS (1.026) and the Yankees are very interested in him. Sato is highly expected to try his luck in the MLB after the 2026 season and is 27 years old. He is posting a line of .317 AVG | .404 OBP | .622 SLG% | 205 wRC+ right now.

Sato is not an elite prospect. He is a superstar and a finished product waiting to prove his worth in the Majors. Right now, big markets are waiting on him as the two Big Apple teams and Los Angeles are monitoring him.

Are the NY Mets, Dodgers competition for Yankees?

The New York Mets are a money-loaded team with no success whatsoever. They see Sato as one of the guys who could help them turn their fortunes. The Yankees should have leverage over their city rivals to land Sato.

However, the Dodgers are the end-all, be-all of the MLB. Also, they have a lot of Japanese superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki that could help sway Sato’s desire.

Who would Sato replace?

If the New York Yankees were to sign the Japanese infielder/slugger, Sato would be positioned to replace Ryan McMahon at third base or provide an option at other corner infield and designated hitter spots.

A potential acquisition of Sato could also impact corner outfield or bench depth depending on how the Yankees structure their alignment. What is for sure, the team that lands Sato will get an upgrade.

“I don’t know [why it’s been a struggle for Chisholm Jr. this year]. Missing his pitch a fair amount. You have got to make hay when you get your pitches,” Boone said about Chisholm Jr., via SNY. “He’s making fairly good swing decisions, he’s not chasing, and there’s some patience in there. He just hasn’t gone on that hot streak really at any point [this season].“

Although the past few days have actually been encouraging for the Yankees, with Boone revealing important progress on Aaron Judge’s return and another injured player, Cody Bellinger, proving New York’s timeline wrong, Chisholm Jr. hasn’t jumped on the positive news train.

Instead, Chisholm Jr. has been arguably the most disappointing player on the Yankees throughout the 2026 MLB season. Fans often thought his slow start was just that, but as New York went deeper into the year, the 28-year-old never really found his footing—and still hasn’t.

Chisholm Jr. can’t afford such struggles

For a player on an expiring contract who is making $10.2 million in 2026, it may be inexcusable. Boone didn’t go as far as to say it, but he did hint at his disappointment with the way Chisholm Jr.’s contract year has gone.

Once the season comes to an end, Chisholm Jr. will become an unrestricted free agent in Major League Baseball. The pressure is definitely on him now. Barring a sensational late stretch and a come-to-life performance in the postseason, the second baseman will miss out on a lot of money on his next contract.

Many fans in the Bronx even went as far as to ask Brian Cashman and the Yankees to trade Jazz at the deadline. That didn’t happen, and New York will stick with Chisholm Jr. through the 2026 campaign.

However, the odds of him being back with the Pinstripers in 2027 are slim and only grow slimmer with every head-scratching at-bat. If he is back, it will be on a contract far different from the current one-year, $10.2 million deal he signed after barely avoiding arbitration.

Chisholm Jr.’s numbers

Chisholm Jr. has had a contract season to forget. His numbers are only better than those from his rookie campaign, in which he played just 21 games. Without a shadow of a doubt, this has been the worst season of his MLB career. Through 112 appearances, Jazz is batting .216 with a .296 on-base percentage, a .391 slugging percentage, a .687 OPS, and a measly 0.8 WAR.

“Today, the Yankees transferred the rehab assignment of LHP Carlos Rodon from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to Double-A Somerset,” the team revealed.

Somerset (in Bridgewater, New Jersey) is much closer to New York City and Yankee Stadium than Scranton, so if the medical staff from the major-league team wants to monitor the player in person, it is much more accessible for them.

Rodon gets back up to speed

Carlos Rodon was placed on the 15-day injured list in early July 2026 due to left elbow inflammation. After receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection to address the lingering soreness, Rodon was cleared to begin a minor-league rehabilitation assignment in early August.

With his build-up progressing smoothly through rehab starts, he is expected to rejoin the Yankees’ starting rotation by late August 2026. Aaron Boone is also awaiting the returns of not only Cody Bellinger, but also Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

The Yankees need Rodon

Prior to his injury, Rodon was delivering a strong 2026 campaign for the Bronx Bombers, compiling a 4-2 record with a 3.30 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP, and 52 strikeouts over 46.1 innings in 9 starts. His dominant presence from the left side provided crucial stability to the starting rotation, making his return vital as New York pushes toward October.

With the postseason looming, the Yankees desperately need a healthy Rodon to pair alongside their top arms, giving them the frontline pitching depth required to make a deep playoff run and contend for a World Series title.

What’s next for the Yankees?

Starting on August 13, 2026, the New York Yankees finish their home series against the Seattle Mariners before diving into a crucial stretch of AL East divisional matchups. First, they head to Canada for a three-game road series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre (August 14–16).

Next, they remain on the road for a three-game set against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards (August 18–20). Finally, the Yankees return to the Bronx to host the Blue Jays once again in a three-game homestand at Yankee Stadium (August 21–23).

However, Bellinger continues to prove the Yankees’ initial timeline wrong as he is well ahead of schedule. It seems Bellinger will be the first of the trio to return to MLB action. Meanwhile, Stanton may only be a step away from returning and has started running bases, albeit to a limited extent—which Bellinger hasn’t done yet. Regardless, manager Boone believes Bellinger remains ahead of the rest of the injured stars.

“[Bellinger hasn’t started base-running yet], but Bellinger feels closer [to returning], though,” Boone admitted during an appearance on Talkin’ Yanks podcast. “He’s doing agility. I would expect that intensity to be pretty good this week. I would think we would get him into a game or two before bringing him.”

NY Yankees are on a roll

Injury-riddled or not, with or without Judge, Bellinger, and Stanton, the Bronx Bombers are putting up a resistance and staying afloat in the AL East race. New York is still several games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the division lead and a spot in the American League Division Series, but the Yankees are still ahead of the Boston Red Sox in second place.

Moreover, the positive news come in bunches. Boone revealed important progress in Judge’s injury recovery, which only adds to the hype in the Bronx as the postseason draws closer, and the Pinstripers appear to be right on track.

NY Yankees’ lineup came to life

On top of it all, the starting rotation of Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, and Gerrit Cole is on a tear despite Carlos Rodon’s absence. Even Ryan Weathers is putting pressure on Boone to give him an even bigger role.

The offense has come alive after some rough outings, and Trent Grisham’s surge is a big reason, as is the immediate impact from rookie George Lombard Jr. Long story short, the Yankees are clicking, even without arguably their best hitters in Judge, Bellinger, and Stanton.

All that matters, however, is how the Bronx Bombers do in the postseason, and fans will have no fond memories of this 2026 campaign if it ends in the same old shaggy-dog story. The Yankees are well aware of that. And that’s another reason why Boone and company won’t rush any of his injured stars back onto the plate.

“Aaron Boone said ‘probably’ when asked if Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton will be back before Aaron Judge returns,” Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported on his X account.

In some ways, Boone’s update shouldn’t come as a surprise. Stanton is reportedly only one step away from being activated and has run the bases recently, while Bellinger continues to prove the Yankees’ original timeline wrong by staying ahead of schedule in his recovery.

NY Yankees await returns

Although the Yankees are managing to stay afloat in the American League Wild Card race, the Bronx Bombers could be walking into trouble, especially if their offensive struggles continue and the Pinstripers remain without Judge, Bellinger, and Stanton.

Asked when to expect the three key injured players back, Boone suggested the order of their returns is trending toward Bellinger, Stanton, and Judge. It makes sense, considering Bellinger has participated in batting practice recently, Stanton is back to running the bases in practice, and Judge has yet to return to baseball activities and was only recently cleared for “light activity.”

Where Bellinger and Stanton stand

During an appearance on Talkin’ Yanks, Boone commented that Bellinger isn’t “too far off,” but is dealing with some tightness. The Yankees won’t take any risks with the three-time All-Star outfielder, so Bellinger won’t be rushed back.

As for Stanton, Boone admitted there’s a scenario in which the 36-year-old requires a rehab assignment, such as the one Luis Gil is going through as he slowly prepares for his return to MLB action.

“Continuing to start that ramp up process,” Boone firmly stated. This is good news for the Bronx Bombers, who are also anxiously awaiting Cody Bellinger’s injury timeline.

Carlos Rodon’s return to the Yankees’ rotation is also keeping the Pinstripes on edge. Boone remains cautious about the situation for now: “Will throw again Thursday/Friday in rehab, and we’ll see from there.”

Injuries have been a headache for Boone

Throughout the 2026 season, the Yankees have had to navigate a constant wave of injuries to key players, including prolonged absences for core offensive stars like Aaron Judge (rib stress fracture), Giancarlo Stanton (calf strain), and Cody Bellinger (hamstring strain), as well as rotation hits to Carlos Rodon and Luis Gil.

Despite losing the heart of their lineup and critical starting pitching depth, New York has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the AL East; carrying a 66–52 record, the Yankees remain firmly in the mix for the division title and solidly positioned in the postseason race.

Yankees’ upcoming games

Starting August 11, 2026, the New York Yankees embark on a critical nine-game stretch beginning with a three-game home series against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium (August 11–13).

Following their home stand, the Yankees head out on the road for back-to-back American League East clashes, traveling to Toronto to face the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre (August 14–16) before heading to Maryland for a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards (August 18–20).

“Luis Gil is beginning a Minor League rehab assignment with the @HVRenegades,” the insider revealed on X. The pitcher was placed on the injured list due to inflammation in his right shoulder.

Although his definitive return to Aaron Boone’s team remains uncertain, the Dominican is preparing for that long-awaited moment. The Yankees want to enter an important stretch of the season with as many healthy players as possible.

Gil’s numbers before his injury

Prior to being optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on April 26 and subsequently landing on the injured list, Luis Gil struggled to find consistency in his 2026 campaign with the New York Yankees. Across four major league starts, the right-hander posted a 1–2 record with a 6.05 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP over 19.1 innings pitched.

His normally dominant swing-and-miss stuff was diminished, manageably yielding just 9 strikeouts while allowing 11 walks and six home runs, which ultimately prompted New York to option him before the shoulder injury sidelined him from throwing.

More moves for the Yankees

Luis Gil’s recovery is not the only news in the Bronx, as other players have made moves in the Minor Leagues. Beat writer Gary Phillips revealed on X what will happen with Rafael Montero and Chase Hampton.

“Rafael Montero was released at Triple-A,” he started. “Chase Hampton was placed on the Temporarily Inactive List at Double-A.”

Stanton may be getting overlooked by the fanbase in the Bronx. At the moment, fans are too stressed about Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge’s injuries. However, they may have no reason to fret. Bellinger is reportedly proving the Yankees’ injury timeline wrong, while senior vice president and general manager Brian Cashman dropped a bold update on Judge’s return.

Hearing an encouraging update from Bellinger as Judge continues to progress, it appears the storm clouds tormenting Yankee Stadium have moved away, and the sun is finally coming out.. On that note, Stanton’s latest update hints that the good news may be coming in bunches for the Bronx Bombers, and the 36-year-old is only a step away from returning.

“Stanton will be back sooner rather than later,” Emmanuel Barberi reported on the 161st and River Ave podcast. “[Stanton] has been hitting this entire time. The second he starts running bases, [he could be back]. His hitting is at an MLB level right now. You can pop him into the lineup as long as he can base-run.”

Stanton is making progress

As reported by manager Aaron Boone over the past weekend, Stanton has “started the introduction to [running] some bases,” via MLB.com. What exactly that means for his full return to action is unclear, but it should hint that Stanton is on the right track, and his return may be ahead of schedule.

Dealing with a calf strain, Stanton was placed on the 10-day injured list (IL) back in late April and has yet to return. Long absences are nothing new to Stanton, as the Yankees’ designated hitter has now missed 250 games over the last four seasons (not including the current campaign).

Stanton’s numbers in 2026

Stanton has played in 24 games so far in the 2026 MLB campaign, tallying eight runs, 23 hits, three home runs, and 14 runs batted in (RBI). Additionally, the California native has posted a .256 batting average (AVG), .302 on-base percentage (OBP), .422 slugging percentage (SLG), and .724 OPS.

The small sample size on the year definitely plays a role, but Stanton still ranks fifth in batting average among Yankees batters.

After placing Bellinger on the 10-day injured list (IL) with a Grade 2 hamstring strain in his left leg, the Yankees set a four-to-six-week timeline for Bellinger’s return. A little over two weeks have passed since Bellinger’s injury designation on July 26, and a report suggests Bellinger is already nearing peak competitive form.

“Bellinger is ahead of schedule,” Yankees broadcaster Emmanuel Barberi reported on 161st and River Ave podcast. “I was talking to him, and he’s definitely ahead of schedule. The Yankees are being careful, rightfully so, because they don’t want to re-injure anything. If there was no timeline attached to this, [Bellinger] would be close to [being] back already.”

Learning that Bellinger is on the right track, along with Brian Cashman’s significant update on Aaron Judge’s return, means the best may be yet to come for the Yankees. Maybe it won’t be long before the Pinstripers’ batting order is back to normal.

NY Yankees need Bellinger, but need him healthy

Although Bellinger is sending all the right signals to the Bronx Bombers and appears to be nearing full health, the Yankees will be once bitten, twice shy. If there’s one thing worse than being without Bellinger, it’s having him return only to lose him for even more time, and possibly for good ahead of the MLB postseason.

Thus, Aaron Boone and company will be cautious. For the time being, the Yankees are managing to stay afloat in the postseason race even without Bellinger and Aaron Judge.

Indeed, New York is struggling at the plate, but it still manages to pick up wins against direct opponents. Having the duo back would help, but the Bronx Bombers know all that matters is being healthy by the time October rolls around.

Bellinger’s stats so far

Through 102 appearances in the 2026 MLB campaign, Bellinger has tallied 52 runs, 97 hits, 11 home runs, and 53 runs batted in (RBI). Moreover, the 31-year-old outfielder has posted a .259 batting average, .350 on-base percentage (OBP), .420 slugging percentage (SLG), .770 on-base plus slugging (OPS), and 3.9 wins above replacement (WAR).

“Before the trade deadline, it was rather apparent that New York needed an upgrade behind the plate to support the struggling Austin Wells,” Reuter wrote. That being said, it will be key to see what decision The Blake Street Bombers make regarding Goodman.

“The Rockies’ perennial need for pitching means they have to at least entertain the idea of moving Hunter Goodman if the payoff is improving a staff that again ranks dead-last in the majors with a 5.48 ERA.”

Goodman could make the Yankees better

Hunter Goodman has enjoyed a standout 2026 campaign with the Colorado Rockies, posting a .254 batting average alongside 34 home runs, 69 RBIs, and a strong .546 slugging percentage across 405 at-bats. If the New York Yankees were to acquire him for next season, his elite right-handed power profile would immediately transform their lineup by offering much-needed run production and natural alignment with the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium.

Furthermore, Goodman’s versatile defensive capability behind the plate as a primary catcher—combined with his ability to slide into designated hitter or corner outfield roles—would give New York flexibility in managing player rest while providing high-slugging protection in the middle of their batting order.

Yankees’ struggles at the plate

Throughout the 2026 season, Aaron Boone and the Bronx Bombers have frequently struggled to build consistent offensive momentum at the plate, leaving them searching for production outside of their primary run-producers. The lineup’s depth issues have been particularly evident behind the dish, where catcher Austin Wells has endured a grueling slump.

Batting just .175 with an alarming .573 OPS through 83 games, Wells has struggled to produce power or draw consistent contact, leaving a noticeable void at the bottom of the batting order. Generating secondary offense to support Wells and take pressure off the back end of the lineup remains a pressing concern for New York as they push through the remainder of the campaign.