Jazz plays 2B for 1st time since '22 in Marlins' loss

Miami to use Chisholm in center, as DH and at second moving forward

July 14th, 2024

CINCINNATI -- Jazz Chisholm Jr. made his first appearance at second base since June 28, 2022 in the fifth inning of Saturday’s 10-6 loss to the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Chisholm took ground balls at second prior to the game, and manager Skip Schumaker confirmed to reporters pregame that the 26-year-old veteran could see time there.

“I talked to Jazz the last couple of days and he wanted to do whatever’s best for the team,” Schumaker said. “I said, 'No,' a few weeks ago, just because I didn’t want to put that in the back of his mind. I mean, Jazz can play anywhere.”

“I’m just doing whatever [Skip] tells me to do, whatever it takes to help the team win,” Chisholm said on Sunday. “That’s my natural position. I feel more comfortable at that position, anyway. I was an All-Star at that position.

“It’s a lot of running in the outfield. In the infield, it’s not that much running. Not that much on your legs. It’s going to help on days when my legs are dragging.”

When Chisholm moved to second on Saturday, Dane Myers took over in center.

Myers’ stint in center was short-lived since he was ejected in the eighth by home plate umpire Derek Thomas for arguing a check-swing third-strike.

Chisholm did not have to field any balls during his four innings at second.

“Jazz gives us flexibility, because he’s open to moving on the dirt,” Schumaker said. “You can move him on the dirt, Dane goes to center, and it just provides more flexibility and creates more matchups for us along the way.”

Chisholm has made 164 appearances at second base, but hasn’t played there since 2022, after he moved to center field when the Marlins acquired Luis Arraez in January 2023. Chisholm has also played 46 games at shortstop over the course of his MLB career.

This season, Chisholm is batting .251 with 12 homers and 42 RBIs in 92 games.

“Trying to keep his bat in the lineup every day,” Schumaker said. “Also trying to keep him playing every day for 160-plus games, which he’s never done. So trying to get him DH days. Maybe second base is a way to get him off his feet a little bit. Because I think he could play that in his sleep.”

There have been reports about some interest in Chisholm from teams as the Trade Deadline approaches. A move to second could make him a more interesting candidate.

Chisholm's infield counterpart, first baseman Jake Burger -- who had a day off Friday -- matched a career high with four hits on Saturday, including his 10th homer of the season.

“Obviously it’s been a grind all year,” Burger said. “Skip gave me the day off yesterday and we had a nice little chat. Kind of talked about, almost be delusional, realize how good you are and go out and show it. I feel like I did that today.”

Burger and designated hitter Josh Bell hit back-to-back homers to put the Marlins ahead 3-1 in the third. Both homers came on 3-0 counts against Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott.

“You feel like you want to be aggressive in that count, but you obviously don’t want to get out,” Burger said.

It was the first time a Marlins batter homered on a 3-0 count since Chisholm did it on June 7, 2022, against the Nationals.

Burger and Bell, two Deadline additions who were key pieces in the Marlins' postseason push last year, went a combined 6-for-9 with two homers, a double and six RBIs on Saturday.

“We always talk about, ‘You go, I go,’” Burger said. “Today, that was the case. We’re trying to pick each other up constantly and hopefully, get hot together.”

Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera (1-3), who’s still working his way back after missing two months with a right shoulder impingement, allowed seven earned runs and four homers in 3 1/3 innings. He struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter.

“Just like last start, some hanging breaking balls that got hit,” Schumaker said. “He’s just not sharp yet. The velo was the best of the year so far.”

Spencer Steer hit a solo homer in the second, then Elly De La Cruz and Jeimer Candelario went back-to-back off him in the third. Red-hot rookie Rece Hinds homered twice, including once in the third -- but one of those came off Andrew Nardi in the sixth.

“With the home runs, was obviously location,” Cabrera said, via interpreter Luis Durante Jr. “I need to keep attacking the zone. I feel way better Just a matter of getting to that normal point.”