Yankees 3B Jazz Chisholm Jr. likely headed to IL due to UCL injury, might need surgery

New York Yankees third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. has a UCL injury in his left elbow and is likely headed to the injured list.

Manager Aaron Boone revealed the diagnosis to Yankees beat reporters Tuesday prior to New York’s game against the Chicago White Sox. Boone said surgery to repair the injury is an option. Chisholm will undergo further evaluation to determine the severity of the injury and the next steps. He’s officially listed as day-to-day at the moment.

Chisholm injured his elbow while sliding head-first into home plate during Monday’s 12-2 loss to the White Sox.

He left the game and underwent imaging Tuesday to determine a diagnosis. The news is a significant blow for a Yankees team engaged in a battle with the Baltimore Orioles for the AL East crown.

The Yankees acquired Chisholm from the Miami Marlins in July prior to the trade deadline. Since arriving, he has provided a jolt of energy to the clubhouse and a boost to an offense that has struggled to produce beyond sluggers Aaron Judge and Juan Soto during multiple dry spells throughout the season.

Despite the offensive struggles, the Yankees (70-50) enter Tuesday’s game with the third-best record in the American League and trail the Orioles (70-49) by a half-game for first in the AL East. They’ll have to move forward for the foreseeable future without the services of Chisholm.

An All-Star in 2022, Chisholm has been on a tear since joining the Yankees’ lineup on July 28. In 14 games, he slashed .316/.361/.702 with seven home runs, 11 RBI and five stolen bases.

Chisholm was replaced in the lineup Monday by rookie Ben Rice. Rice was listed in Tuesday’s lineup at first base, with Oswaldo Cabrera taking over at third. In 40 MLB games, Rice is slashing .195/.296/.406 with seven home runs and 22 RBI. Cabrera’s hitting .245/.293/.378 with eight home runs and 34 RBI through 86 games this season.