The Marlins will be without star second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. for quite some time, as a CT scan has revealed a stress fracture in his back, Craig Mish and Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald report (Twitter link). That comes with around a six-week recovery timetable, and Chisholm will likely then need to ramp back up to game activity.
It’s a brutal injury for a Marlins team that is on the fringe of the National League Wild Card race (six games back) and determining whether to add some veteran pieces or sell off short-term assets with the trade deadline looming. The 24-year-old Chisholm has emerged as Miami’s best position player and one of the better all-around talents in the National League, slashing .254/.325/.535 with 14 home runs, 10 doubles, four triples and a dozen stolen bases in 241 plate appearances this year.
That output would put Chisholm on pace for a potential 30-homer, 30-steal season — all while playing standout defense at second base. This latest injury, however, looks as though it’ll sideline the dynamic Miami second baseman for the majority of the games remaining on the schedule. Nagging back issues have interrupted the breakout season for the first-time All-Star, who initially landed on the 10-day injured list in late June with what had been termed a lower back strain.
The Fish have felt Chisholm’s absence, limping to a .206/.266/.304 line since he landed on the shelf. They’re currently riding a four-game losing streak in which they’re scored a total of one run, and they haven’t plated more than five runs in any contest since July 3. That stretch has dealt a notable hit to their chances of hanging around in the Wild Card race, and losing their best player only makes a second-half push seem more far-fetched. Frustrations with the offense have understandably mounted, with manager Don Mattingly saying yesterday the Marlins have a “stagnant club that sits and hopes we hit a home run or a couple doubles” while both Chisholm and stolen base leader Jon Berti have been on the injured list (video link via Jeremy Tache of Bally Sports Florida). The skipper added it’s been “frustrating” to get down years from players like Avisail Garcia and Jorge Soler, each of whom was brought in via multi-year free agent deals over the winter.
Mish tweeted yesterday that unhappiness was predictably mounting throughout the organization, suggesting the team could soon turn to former #4 overall pick JJ Bleday in hopes of sparking the offense. Bleday has seen his stock fall notably since he’s been in pro ball, but he’s at least reaching base at a .365 clip with Triple-A Jacksonville this season. General manager Kim Ng and her staff will have to decide how to proceed with the roster over the next few weeks, with Miami featuring a host of veteran role players who could hold appeal to contenders were the Marlins to make them available.
Hope he comes back 100%. Unfortunately back issues never seem to completely go away.
Right on the money. I can’t name one major leaguer whose back issues were completely resolved. Jim Thome thrived despite his ongoing back problems, but it’s taken a noticeable toll on Christian Yelich’s performance. Of course worst case was David Wright. Back problems never go away.
Todd Helton is another example. Was on a HOF trajectory for his first 8 or 10 seasons but turned into a mediocre hitter after he started having back and hip problems.
It’s like they keep coming…back.
Actually I fractured my back about 15 years ago; it healed up rather quickly and I have not had nary an issue since then. I am quite perplexed how that could be the case, however I am loath to over-analyze it to death and will just take the W for now, as I whistle my way past the graveyard.
Of course! Wish him a quick recovery!
This probably makes the decision of whether to buy or sell easier for the Marlins.
Glass Chisholm, we hardly knew ye.
That’s a curiously cold comment from a Mets fan, given that a fractured back destroyed David Wright’s career. But maybe you’re some newbie Mets fan who knows nothing about that franchise’s past history. Or maybe you’re just that callous anyway.
Is that supposed to make me feel bad or make yourself feel good? I hope the latter worked out for you!
I didn’t expect the Marlins to win the division or anything, but this is certainly a very disappointing year. They are significantly better than their record shows, and have suffered a lot of bad-luck losses. This is a huge injury that may push them into the seller range at the deadline.
They are not significantly better than their record shows. They have some good young starters. However, the offense is not good and the bullpen is a mess. Lots of back breaking late losses. That’s a killer for any team. They have pitching and need to decide who is worth keeping and get some offense and bullpen help.
To quote Bill Parcells at some point you are what your record says you are.
“They are significantly better than their record shows”
Disagree here. They’re 44-50 overall, which is OK. However, they’re 12-1 against the last place Nationals and 32-49 against everyone else. If anything, I think they’re actually worse than their record shows.
All bark, no bite.
He should drink a Barq’s
Achy brakey bach
This a terrible injury for an athlete like Chisholm. As young as he is, he should heal in three months. I’ve been recovering from lumbar compression fractures since February. Recuperation time and physical therapy is necessary and it is still painful. Heal well, Jazz.
Best of luck on your recovery as well.
My fantasy team has had more injured players this year than healthy ones.
Speedy recovery, Jazz, for the Marlins sake, not the Donkey Boyz.
Sit him for the year.
That sucks. He’s a talented player that is worth building around.
was*
*is
Meanwhile, tonight’s starter for the Diamondbacks is Zac Gallen.
What’s so notable about this?
They were traded for each other.
You know Zac Gallen has been battling with injuries too, right?
Seems he’s been pitching just fine to me, Smokey!
Yes, especially when he’s injured! I believe you may have a case of neurodivergency
Am I missing something. The guys thrown 100 innings with 9 quality starts lol. I think I know what you’re smoking.
Mr David Wright wants to speak to him. That’s really young for that
A bit different as David had spinal stenosis.
Musta been those heavy chains around the neck lol
Tough loss, but maybe this is helpful. They won’t feel compelled to buy and instead can focus now on selling a few pieces and prepare for 2023.
It’s definitely not helpful in any way. They were never gonna buy at the expense of their young pieces anyway. This injury doesn’t turn them into major sellers either. Clearly they have some pieces to move at the deadline, like every other team, and they probably will do something of a soft sell, but with their young rotation pieces, they will be looking to compete next year and definitely by 2024. Losing their most dynamic player on offense, and one of the more exciting young players in baseball, is again, not helpful in anyway.
Another great trade by the DBACKS to go along with Max Scherzer, Dansby Swanson, Paul Goldschmidt and JD Martinez who have left in case you’re wondering why the DBACKS always suck
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. The arrogant backs have the blues!
God bless him in his recovery! One of my favorite players. Never quits hustling and making plays.. My nick name for him is clown show because of his long colored dyed hair. looks like the wig of a circus clown
Jazz Chisholm does drugs
Your mom definitely did drugs when she was pregnant.
Doesn’t everyone, in one way or another?
PROOF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Glass Chisholm certainly does drugs. My guess is coke is his drug of choice. Probably looking to follow in Jose Fernandez’ footsteps.
Bring up Bleday, make a move for a bullpen piece of 2 and see what happens.. I wouldn’t give up yet.. our starting staff is top 5 in the bigs we just need someone at the plate who can hit with risp
Nah, you’re done.