At times, this year, the MLB diamond has been like a game of musical chairs, especially for the Red Sox and the Yankees. All owing to injuries. And not everyone has been open to the idea of moving outside their comfort zone for the greater good of the team. Rafael Devers’ refusal to move to first base after being assigned the DH role by the Red Sox has grabbed headlines. Now, a Yankees infielder, who can relate to the dilemma himself, has weighed in on the situation.
Well, we are talking about Jazz Chisholm Jr. He never played in the hot corner before last season, but within weeks, he made the adjustment. However, this season, he started off at second base before an oblique injury put him on the sidelines for over a month in the middle of May.
After recovering, the Yankees’ management asked him if he would want to return to second base, which he liked, or if he would fill in at third base again. Not hard to guess what his response was. “Boone really wanted me at third base. I’m a team guy. I’m here to win a ring. I’m not here to fight over positions,” Chisholm said. He was never going to refuse.
Since joining the team, Chisholm has amazed Yankees fans with his flexibility. While some would have anticipated a drama regarding his position change, he calmly and firmly said, “Wherever the team needs me.” On Rafael Devers’s situation, however, Chisholm has a different perspective.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 11: Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his game winning sacrifice fly with teammates in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
The 27-year-old had a very measured response when asked about Devers, as he said, “He (Devers) was promised that position. That was promised to him. I believe if you’re promised your position, you should go play the position you were promised. That’s what he worked on his whole career. You can’t go back on it. I don’t have a problem with what he did,”
Even for the Marlins, Chisholm moved from the infield to center field because the club needed him to. And the same he is doing for the Yankees too, bringing a breath of fresh air to the team.
Chisholm is not just a utility player; he’s a catalyst, a guy who will do whatever it takes to win the ring. Aaron Boone, the Yankees’ manager, agrees.
“I think he’s put it as, ‘I want a ring. That’s where the focus lies. We’re obviously a long, long way away from being in that position, but to have people come in that room and just want to be part of shaking hands every day, that’s what it’s about. Jazz is epitomizing that,” the skipper said.
The off-field situation might be calm in the Yankees’ camp at the moment, but the on-field drama was as intense as ever, as they faced the Red Sox.
Classic clash: Red Sox outslug the Yankees
The Yankees and Red Sox’s 2025 season opener was a fireworks show. The Yankees scored five runs in the first inning thanks to Anthony Volpe’s homer and Jazz Chisholm Jr’s stellar play.
Chisholm hit a homer as well, with four RBIs, and two stolen bases, while Judge added three hits to stay close to .400. Rafael Devers and the new addition Marcelo Mayer homered late for Boston, but the Yankees won 9-6.
Game 2 was where the Red Sox rallied. Boston beat the Yankees 10-7. So, who contributed? Well, it started with Trevor Story’s five RBIs, including a crucial three-run double in the third and a two-run single in the ninth.
Garrett Crochet gave a season-high five runs but struck out Aaron Judge three times in a six-inning, nine-strikeout outing. Rookie Kristian Campbell hit back-to-back RBI singles, and Abraham Toro scored a crucial RBI. Austin Wells and DJ LeMahieu tried to bring the Yankees back, but Aroldis Chapman dramatically saved the Sox.
In Game 3, Boston was focused on offense. After an early Judge homer, they rallied in the fifth and sixth innings. Duran, Story, and Toro each scored big hits to extend the lead after Narvaez’s three-run homer. Toro and Story hit solo homers, while Rafael Devers hit his 30th against the Yankees.
New York tried a ninth-inning rally behind another Judge homer, but it was too late. The Red Sox sealed the series with a 11-7 triumph, sweeping the final two games and demonstrating their depth despite previous troubles.
The Yankees scored first in a thrilling three-game series, but the Red Sox put on back to back powerful performances after that to win 2-1. Boston’s resilience and offensive depth were a big credit to their story, with Rafael Devers, Toro, and Campbell all contributing. Did you enjoy the series finale?
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