Jazz Chisholm Jr. says he’ll keep playing without a protective cup after foul ball to groin

New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. said he has never worn a protective cup in his professional career, and that he plans to keep playing that way even after a foul ball struck him in the groin during Thursday’s game against the Chicago White Sox.

According to Chisholm’s account to reporters, his pain level after the incident was “a million.” The Yankees fell 5-1 to the White Sox, and Chisholm remained in the conversation afterward about how he handles contact injuries and protective equipment.

Chisholm’s comments placed a spotlight on a recurring baseball debate: whether players should wear protective gear for common contact points when facing foul balls and infield traffic. In MLB, protective cups are not universal, and players often decide based on comfort, routine, and personal experience rather than any league requirement.

For New York, the practical concern is not just the immediate well-being of a key position player, but also whether a groin impact changes his day-to-day availability and range, especially for a second baseman responsible for quick side-to-side footwork, turning double plays, and reacting to hard-hit grounders.

Chisholm is known as an aggressive, athletic infielder, and decisions about equipment can be part of how players maintain consistency. But groin areas are sensitive, and even when an impact is not described in detail publicly, it is the type of injury that can affect sprint speed, pivot mechanics, and swing comfort.

What to watch next is how the Yankees manage his workload in the short term, and whether the team provides any additional information on how he’s feeling over subsequent days. If he continues without a protective cup, he will be doing so under the clearest real-world reminder imaginable that foul balls can reach exposed areas quickly.