Yankees' Chisholm debunks AirPods in ear after viral photos

New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. addressed viral photos showing what appeared to be an AirPod in his ear while playing the field. The 28-year-old explained it was cotton placed there to ease an earache from a ground ball that struck his head during the team's win over the Texas Rangers on Monday. Chisholm took to Instagram Story to clarify, captioning the image: "All y’all just ain’t the smartest," with a shrug and laughing emoji.

The mishap occurred when Chisholm fielded a ground ball that kicked off his glove and hit him in the head at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on April 28, 2026. The impact caused ringing in his right ear for three days and an earache that lasted three or four days, he told The Athletic. Chisholm said he wore actual AirPods in the clubhouse with noise-cancellation mode but insisted no umpire or coach would allow electronics on the field.

Chisholm has posted a .205 batting average with three home runs, 10 RBI and nine stolen bases this season, starting slowly before recent improvement. He missed no games due to the injury and dismissed concerns about its impact on his play.

Chisholm called the online speculation "not smart," noting AirPods could not extend that far into the ear canal. He expressed indifference to the attention, saying, "If you guys love me that much ... I have no problem with it."