Jazz Chisholm injury already souring Marlins’ second half of the season

Jazz Chisholm is facing another extended absence, and the second of the season for the Miami Marlins is quickly turning sour.

If someone had told you on April 1 that the Miami Marlins would be in second place in the NL East on July 4, you wouldn’t have believed them. But here they are, at 49-37 and leading the NL Wild Card standings entering Independence Day. And they’ve done a big chunk of it lately without Jazz Chisholm.

Chisholm missed a little more than a month earlier this season with a turf toe injury in his right foot. He returned to action on June 27 and went 8-for-23 with two home runs, five RBI and four extra-base hits in his first six games back.

But Chisholm left Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves early after striking out. He was diagnosed with a left oblique strain, and on Monday he was placed on the 10-day IL.

Jazz Chisholm injury already quickly souring second half for Marlins

Oblique injuries are not typically quick to heal, so Chisholm will surely need more than the minimum 10 days on the IL. Craig Mish of the Miami Herald and SportsGrid has confirmed as much.

Chisholm did not play after June 28 last year with what was eventually revealed as a stress reaction in his lower back. But the potential he showed in the 60 games he played (14 home runs, 12 stolen bases, .860 OPS as he earned an All-Star selection) brought high hopes for him this season. Dependent on his health, of course.

As the Marlins try to stay at or at least near the top of the NL Wild Card chase, they may have to do it without one of their most-talented players for a month. Again.

The MLB All-Star break is not even quite here yet, and the literal or proverbial second half of the season is already turning sour for the surprise contender in Miami.