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Yankees manager Aaron Boone changed his lineup for Wednesday’s must-win AL Division Series Game 3, starting Anthony Volpe and José Caballero while sitting Jazz Chisholm Jr. Trent Grisham moved to leadoff as New York looked for more offense after scoring two runs in the series to that point.
The New York Yankees changed their starting lineup for Wednesday’s must-win American League Division Series Game 3, with manager Aaron Boone starting Anthony Volpe and José Caballero and leaving second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. out of the lineup. Boone also moved Trent Grisham to leadoff as the Yankees sought an offensive spark after scoring two runs through the first two games, according to MLB’s report.
Caballero was placed at third base in place of Ryan McMahon, while Volpe was brought into the lineup to add another right-handed bat. Boone said he wanted to make a couple of changes and described both players as important contributors over the season. The report identifies the game as a must-win for New York, but does not provide the series score or the opponent’s full Game 3 lineup.
Boone said he settled on the changes while thinking about the lineup during the flight home, then continued to consider them the following day. “I’m excited to get those guys in, and hopefully it will be a little spark for us,” he said. He also said he wanted more balance in the order and expected Volpe to help energize the offense.
Chisholm had gone hitless in six ALDS at-bats, with one walk and one stolen base, before being left out. Boone said he had not sent Chisholm the kind of pregame text he sent before Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, but stressed that a player’s importance is not limited to starting. Chisholm, Boone said, was ready to contribute if called upon.
Yankees Seek an Offensive Spark
The change puts two players with different roles into a lineup that had struggled to produce in the series. With only two runs scored through the first two games, New York was looking for a way to create more opportunities and improve its matchup balance. Grisham’s move to the leadoff spot was intended to put more traffic on base ahead of the middle of the order, while Volpe gave Boone another right-handed option.
Because Game 3 was described as a must-win, the choices carried immediate postseason stakes: a loss would end the Yankees’ season, while a win would keep them alive. The report does not establish that the reshuffle would improve the offense; Boone framed it as a decision he hoped would provide a spark. The results would depend on how the starters and the rest of the lineup performed during the game.
Chisholm’s absence is also notable because he had been a regular part of the Yankees’ plans, but it does not mean he was unavailable. Boone specifically said he was ready to enter in a key situation. The lineup decision therefore changed who started, not whether Chisholm could play.
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How the Lineup Changed
Boone made the moves after the Yankees’ offense had been held to two runs in the first two ALDS games. MLB reported that Ben Rice and Austin Wells had been the team’s most productive hitters in the early series, while the other hitters had combined for one hit in 46 at-bats entering Game 2. That statistic describes the point in the series covered by the report; it is not a season-long measure.
Chisholm’s postseason struggles followed a regular season in which he hit .231 with 19 home runs and 41 stolen bases across 137 games, according to the report. He had entered the year aspiring to reach 50 home runs and 50 steals, goals he did not achieve. In Game 2, he also committed one of the Yankees’ four errors with a throw wide of first base. Chisholm said he would still attempt the play, while Boone said his concern was the erratic throw, not simply the decision to try it.
Volpe had one hit in three postseason at-bats at the time of the report. Since rejoining the team in early September, he had hit .265, with three doubles, one home run, nine RBIs and five steals in 49 at-bats. Caballero, meanwhile, was starting at third in McMahon’s place. Boone also said he did not consider replacing first baseman Luis García Jr. with Paul Goldschmidt, despite García going hitless in seven ALDS at-bats after recording three hits in the Wild Card Series.
“Honestly, I’d probably still throw it, the play that was trying to be made.”
— Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Game-Day Results Still Unknown
The report describes Boone’s lineup before first pitch; it does not say how Volpe, Caballero or Grisham performed in Game 3, or whether Chisholm later entered the game. It also does not include the final score or explain the full series outcome. Those details cannot be inferred from the lineup announcement.
Boone presented the changes as a tactical decision and a possible spark, not a guarantee of better results. The available account also does not say whether Chisholm was dealing with an injury; it reports his recent at-bats and defensive error but gives no injury explanation for his absence. His status should be understood as not starting, rather than unavailable.
Game 3 Determines the Next Step
The immediate next milestone was the result of Wednesday’s Game 3, which the report called must-win for the Yankees. The game would show whether Boone’s lineup changes helped New York generate offense and extend its postseason run. If Chisholm remained on the bench, Boone’s comments left open the possibility of using him in a later situation.
The report provides no confirmed schedule or outcome beyond that game. Further developments—including the final result, any later lineup decisions and the Yankees’ postseason status—would depend on what happened on the field.
Key Questions
Who did Aaron Boone add to the Yankees’ Game 3 starting lineup?
Boone started Anthony Volpe and José Caballero. Caballero took over at third base in place of Ryan McMahon.
Why was Jazz Chisholm Jr. not starting?
Boone said he wanted to change a couple of things after the Yankees scored two runs through the first two ALDS games. The report does not say Chisholm was injured; Boone said he was ready to play if needed.
What other change did Boone make to the batting order?
Trent Grisham moved to leadoff. Boone said he hoped the change would create more traffic ahead of the heart of the lineup.
What was Volpe’s recent record entering Game 3?
He had one hit in three postseason at-bats. Since rejoining the Yankees in early September, he had hit .265 with three doubles, a home run, nine RBIs and five stolen bases in 49 at-bats, according to MLB’s report.
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