Jazz Chisholm Jr. announced he will not wear a protective cup after a foul ball struck his groin Thursday night. The second baseman suffered a sharp pain described as “a million” during a 5‑1 loss to the White Sox. Trainer Tim Lentych applied ice, and Chisholm limped off before returning to the lineup for the game.

Manager Aaron Boone said he felt confident sending Chisholm to the lineup after morning checks. Boone noted the rarity of non‑catchers eschewing cups, citing Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre. Chisholm admitted he never wore a cup in the minors, where it is mandatory, and says he will stick to his decision despite the incident for team morale.

The incident highlights a generational shift in protective gear use. Chisholm’s choice follows a trend where current players opt out of mandatory cups, a practice once rare among star hitters. With the Yankees chasing a playoff berth, his absence from the protective standard could affect in‑field safety protocols and spark debate among teammates and coaches.