New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s ejection during Sunday's loss to the Boston Red Sox has drawn commentary from a former teammate. The incident, which saw Chisholm thrown out of the game for arguing a third-strike call with home plate umpire Adam Hamari and tossing his helmet, occurred as the Yankees completed a four-game sweep at Fenway Park. Despite attempts by manager Aaron Boone and first-base coach Dan Fiorito to calm the infielder, Chisholm was removed from the contest. Anthony Rizzo, who previously played alongside Chisholm as a first baseman for the team, offered his perspective on Chisholm's conduct during the Sunday night broadcast.
Rizzo Criticizes Ejection Amidst Team Struggles
Rizzo emphasized the importance of sound decision-making, particularly given the team's current performance. "You just have to be smarter there," he remarked. He highlighted Chisholm's crucial role in the offense, noting, "Jazz is such a big part of this offense and they need to get him going and to get ejected there. …it shows a little bit of immaturity there."
The Yankees have recently experienced a downturn, losing seven of their last ten games. This mid-season slump is a recurring pattern for the team in recent summers, despite remaining firmly in playoff contention. Rizzo stressed that players, including Chisholm, must acknowledge this challenging period.
He further elaborated on the immediate consequences of the ejection, stating, "The team’s scuffling, they need him in the lineup, and now he puts [Anthony] Volpe in a tough position coming in completely cold."
Chisholm's Post-Game Departure and Career Context
Adding to the controversy, Chisholm did not remain in the clubhouse following the 5-4 extra-inning defeat to the Red Sox. He departed before reporters were granted access, leaving questions unanswered for the time being. Historically, Chisholm has been known for openly expressing his views since his entry into the league with the Miami Marlins. He joined the Yankees in a trade prior to the 2024 MLB deadline and has been with the club since.
Current Season Performance and Future Aspirations
This season marks a significant one for the second baseman, as he approaches free agency. Before the 2026 season, Chisholm had articulated an ambitious goal: to achieve a "50-50 season," mirroring the rare accomplishment of Shohei Ohtani. It's worth noting that Ohtani remains the sole player in MLB history to reach this particular milestone. While Chisholm posted a career-best 31 home runs in 2025, his current season statistics include 12 home runs and 24 stolen bases. His current slash line stands at .223/.306/.399, resulting in a .706 OPS. If the season were to conclude now, this OPS would represent his lowest career mark, excluding his brief 21-game stint with the Marlins in 2020.
Meanwhile, the Yankees continue to play without three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge, who is rehabilitating a stress fracture in his rib. A specific timeline for his return has not yet been established.
