NEW YORK — Jazz Chisholm Jr. discovered a creative solution to maintain Aaron Judge’s impact on the New York Yankees’ offense despite the captain’s absence from the field.
Following a sluggish start through the opening frames, Chisholm utilized equipment from the sidelined Yankees leader. His decisive three-run blast using Judge’s bat model highlighted a dominant five-run eighth inning during Sunday’s 6-1 victory against the Boston Red Sox.
“When I pick up his bat I know I can’t swing as hard as I can or else I’ll tear an oblique like last year,” Chisholm said. “It just helps me to just go out there and just control the barrel and just try to touch the ball.”
Chisholm regularly borrows equipment from teammates. He currently wears Giancarlo Stanton’s loose-fitting pants and previously used José Caballero’s 34-inch, 31-ounce Victus bat on May 18 for a game-deciding, two-run homer during the seventh inning of a 7-6 victory against Toronto.
“I probably use almost everybody’s bat in here, except probably Goldy and Stanton,” Chisholm said, referencing Paul Goldschmidt. “They’re a little bit extra big.”
Chisholm typically swings a 34-ounce, 31-inch model, while Judge’s equipment measures 35/33, also manufactured by Chandler.
“It’s a heavy bat but doesn’t feel that heavy,” said Cody Bellinger, whose solo homer off Justin Slaten snapped a 1-all deadlock in the eighth. “I didn’t even know he used Judge’s bat. It’s hilarious.”
Judge suffers from a fractured rib and faces restricted activity for an extended period. He will undergo follow-up imaging in approximately four-to-six weeks.
Stanton has remained out of action since April 24 due to a strained right calf, while catcher Austin Wells was added to the injured list Saturday because of cervical headaches.
New York maintains confidence in winning without Judge, their three-time AL MVP.
“I’m already a little tired of answering the question and we’re only a couple of days into this,” manager Aaron Boone said. “We got grownups in the room, for sure.”
New York holds a 2-3 record without Judge, posting a .226 batting average with 19 runs scored.
“Everybody just, it feels like they’ve got to find a way to contribute as best they could in his absence,” Chisholm said.
Chisholm failed to connect while leading off the third, fifth and seventh against Ranger Suarez, then launched his eighth homer of the season on an opening-pitch cutter from Joe La Sorsa, who had recently entered for Slaten.
“I was swinging and missing when I thought I was hitting the ball,” Chisholm said. “Sometimes you need a little bit more weight and a little less on your swing.”
Chisholm suffered a right oblique strain on April 28 last year while using Judge’s bat at Baltimore. The injury kept him out until June 3 but didn’t stop him from earning his second All-Star selection.
He began this season slowly but has posted a .306 average with four homers and 11 RBIs over his previous 19 contests, improving his overall average to .234.
Judge also started poorly by his standards and currently bats .248 with 17 homers and 38 RBIs.
“Just having his name in that lineup is a presence,” Bellinger said. “Aaron being out is just such a huge loss.”
Stanton may return shortly. He has been taking batting practice on the field and running.
Wells, batting .166 with seven RBIs across 47 games, reported feeling pressure at the top of his head and experiencing headaches. He will have scans Monday and plans to use a hockey-style catcher’s mask upon returning behind the plate.
“Hopefully rule out anything serious,” he said. “In my mind it’s just the cumulative buildup over the last couple weeks.”
New York (38-26) secured a split of the weather-shortened, two-game series and moved within percentage points of first-place Tampa Bay (37-25), which has topped the AL East since May 10.
Chisholm will likely continue borrowing teammates’ equipment during the pennant chase. He remains uncertain about his next target.
“Maybe an undershirt,” he said. “You never know.”
