Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. Downplays Mistake After Boone's Criticism

The star infielder dismissed the issue as 'no big deal' after his manager publicly called out the mental error.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 1:06pm

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New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone publicly criticized star infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. for a mental mistake in a recent game against the Miami Marlins, but Chisholm downplayed the incident, saying the mistake was 'no big deal.' Boone had indicated he spoke to Chisholm directly about the play, where Chisholm failed to field a grounder that should have resulted in an out. Chisholm acknowledged the mistake but said he makes similar plays against other teams all the time and that someone 'caught me with my head down.' Despite Boone's criticism, Chisholm is looking to move on from the incident.

Why it matters

The Yankees are under immense pressure to end their 16-year World Series championship drought this season, and any mistakes or shortcomings will be heavily scrutinized. Boone's public criticism of Chisholm is notable because the manager typically defends his players in public, even after fundamental errors. This suggests Boone expects more from Chisholm and the team as they push for a title.

The details

In the ninth inning of a recent game against the Miami Marlins, Chisholm was playing back on a grounder from Otto Lopez that should have resulted in an out, but ended up being a hit due to Chisholm's 'inexplicable nonchalance.' Following the game, Boone revealed that he spoke to Chisholm about the mistake, saying 'He laid back on the ball' and that Chisholm 'just got to be a little more aware of the guy getting down the line.' Boone indicated it was a play the Yankees 'have got to make.'

  • On April 6, 2026, the Yankees played the Miami Marlins.

The players

Jazz Chisholm Jr.

A star infielder for the New York Yankees who was recently criticized by manager Aaron Boone for a mental mistake in a game against the Miami Marlins.

Aaron Boone

The manager of the New York Yankees who publicly criticized Jazz Chisholm Jr. for a mental mistake in a recent game, a rare move for the manager who typically defends his players in public.

Otto Lopez

A player for the Miami Marlins who hit a grounder that should have resulted in an out, but ended up being a hit due to Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s 'inexplicable nonchalance.'

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What they’re saying

“'He laid back on the ball. Fundamentally, he was fine with it. He's just got to be a little more aware of the guy getting down the line. It's a play we've got to make.'”

— Aaron Boone, Manager, New York Yankees

“'We all know how I play baseball, how we play baseball. The guy (Lopez) caught me with my head down. He did a good play. I do it to other teams all the time. I feel like, someone caught me — it's no big deal to me. If I was him, I would do it, too.'”

— Jazz Chisholm Jr.

What’s next

The Yankees will look for Chisholm to avoid any similar mental mistakes going forward as they push for a World Series title.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the intense pressure the Yankees are under to end their championship drought, with even minor mistakes being heavily scrutinized. Chisholm's willingness to downplay the issue suggests he is focused on moving past it, but Boone's public criticism indicates the team expects more from its star players.