Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Leaves Game With Injuries Amid Royals Rivalry

New York Yankees third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. left two consecutive games early due to injuries, first with neck tightness and then with left-groin tightness, raising concerns about his availability. The injuries stemmed from a contentious game against the Kansas City Royals, where Chisholm suffered a hard tag while attempting to steal third base, leading to a collision with Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia. Chisholm expressed frustration over Garcia's aggressive tagging style, accusing him of dirty play and referencing a history of on-field conflicts dating back to the 2024 ALDS, which included benches clearing and heated exchanges. Despite being booed by Royals fans due to previous comments calling the Royals “lucky” in the playoffs, Chisholm embraced the hostile reception as motivation. Yankees manager Aaron Boone and Chisholm indicated he is expected to return to the lineup soon, though the severity of his groin injury remains unclear. The rivalry between Chisholm and Garcia continues to fuel tensions between the teams beyond the standings.