Jazz Chisholm Jr.s imminent return will push Yankees to make difficult lineup decisions

Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s return from a right thumb sprain is near, meaning the Yankees face some interesting decisions. The second baseman could be activated from the injured list as soon as Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Rays, and while the corresponding roster move appears simple (Max Schuemann), the potential lineup moves bear watching.  Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.After Chisholm got hurt diving into second base Sept.

8, the Yankees called up Anthony Volpe to get some run at the position he had mostly transitioned to at Triple-A, and he made the most of it.In the 10 games since Volpe was recalled, he has started at second base nine times (José Caballero started the other) and mostly looked sharp, batting .286 with a .753 OPS and four steals. Whether Volpe has done enough to warrant at-bats once Chisholm returns remains to be seen.

Shortly before he was called back up, the natural shortstop had also started to mix in some third base, starting three games there, though Aaron Boone would only offer, “We’ll see,” when asked whether that could be an option for Volpe with Chisholm back. “First things first, getting Jazz back and then we’ll figure it out as the week unfolds how I want to play it,” Boone said. The Yankees have not gotten much offensive production from their third basemen this year, especially of late.Since returning from his own thumb sprain Sept.

1, Ryan McMahon has hit just 6-for-40 (.150) with a .402 OPS, with Caballero starting at third over him Sunday against a righty.Amed Rosario has often started at third against lefties, and while he has not hit in line with his career numbers, the Yankees continue to believe he will. Boone could also platoon Volpe and Chisholm at second base, as the lefty-hitting Chisholm is batting only .221 with a .654 OPS against lefties.

But the pending free agent had just been starting t...