Star closer Aroldis Chapman is headed back to the Yankees, per ESPN.com’s Marly Rivera (Twitter link). Having previously tested positive for COVID-19, he had to register a pair of negative tests.
It isn’t yet clear whether Chapman will jump right onto the active roster at this time. He hit the injured list on July 11th, so he has been out of action for a decent stretch, but perhaps he won’t require much of a ramp-up if he has been able to throw while on the sideline.
The Yanks worked out a new deal last fall with Chapman, who could’ve opted out and tested free agency. The 32-year-old is earning a pro-rated portion of a $16MM salary this year and will be due the same in each of the next two campaigns.
It’s good to hear that Chapman was able to clear the virus in short order. And it’s obviously also great news for the back of the Yankees pen. Chapman’s flamethrower of a left arm wasn’t quite as hot last year, when he averaged a mere 98.2 mph on his four-seam fastball, but he offset that by gaining confidence in his slider.
Even in his slightly less-dominant form, Chapman remained an absolute force. He threw 57 innings of 2.21 ERA ball last year, sporting a 14.1% swinging-strike rate while allowing just 0.47 homers per nine.
Thank god! I can’t take Zack Britton’s full counts anymore.
Lol admittedly it’s annoying but Chappy never has 1-2-3 innings either.
Bottom line we’re spoiled : )
Can’t wait for Chapman to face the Astros.
Not unless there are playoffs and both teams are in. I’m not so sure about Houston given the drop-off in quality pitching.
Dude with anger issues who goes and fires his gun at a wall in his garage after and arguement vs cheaters…..what could possibly go wrong.
Since they played each other many times over the past three years, I say nothing.
Past three years they weren’t convicted cheaters.
Now they are.
Only in the playoffs this year if the cheaters make it that far. They cheat so well so they should definitely be there.
Raffy Devers took a 101mph Chapman pitch deep in the 2018 playoffs vs. the Yankees. Let’s hope he comes back for this weekend series!
Well, he’s hitting .250 with one home run in 12 abs. so I wouldn’t be too concerned if I were the Yankees.
devers isn’t scaring anybody this year, except red sox fans with his atrocious defense.
That was in a regular season game in 2017
Any chance he can replace J.A. Happ’s starts?
That home run was in the regular season. Welcome back Chappie.
This is what I loved about Chapman with his Gas. You knew he’d still be able to pump 97-99 even as he aged. It was just a matter of can he still utilize it and compliment it with a slider. That arm, is a Gas station.