Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s latest team-first quote only widens his gap with Gleyber Torres

Anyone who polluted the airwaves by spreading gossip about Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s poor locker room fit — including those who, say, poured milk into his custom shoes — owes the baseball world a massive apology. Since the day he came to the Yankees, Chisholm has been nothing but affable, accommodating, and flexible, and he reinforced that behavior this week while on a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset.

Chisholm, a remarkable healer, just passed the one-month mark of his absence due to a high-grade oblique strain, something he initially seemed prepared to laugh off and play through before the Yankees told him otherwise. His departure from the active roster made it very easy to return DJ LeMahieu to active duty and, while we're still not sure how long the veteran will last, he's definitely a better fit at second base than third these days.

That meant Chisholm would probably have to be the one to relieve the Yankees after Oswaldo Cabrera's gruesome injury after all. The trade deadline could change everything. The Yankees could also find an upgrade at second more easily than one at third. For now, though, Chisholm's athletic versatility and adaptability — which he showed off with zero warning last summer — made Aaron Boone's preference fairly clear when the two sides met last week.

Chisholm's verdict? No sweat. He was reportedly given the "choice" between second and third, but was able to perceive where Boone sat on the issue — and so he aligned. Winning player.

Yankees' Jazz Chisholm will work with Aaron Boone and do whatever's best for the team. Huh.

This, of course, is the aspect of Chisholm's persona that Jeff Nelson lauded on YES Network's broadcast Wednesday — while also throwing some shade in the direction of Gleyber Torres, who dug in at second base like a stone last summer and opened this particular door in the first place.

LeMahieu isn't being obstinate and intractible. He just ... isn't as strong a fit at third base as the bendable Chisholm, who showed off his well-timed dives at the hot corner plenty last year.

In an ideal world, Chisholm heads back to second base in the second half, while LeMahieu absorbs a bench role after a busy trade deadline. For now, though, this is the obvious upgrade the Yankees have been seeking, and it's always more helpful when the player involved sees the vision with a smile, too.