The Yankees will enter their season Thursday missing their top reliever, closer Aroldis Chapman, who tested postive for the coronavirus July 11. Almost two weeks later, it remains unclear when Chapman will be able to debut in 2020, as general manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday (via Dan Martin of the New York Post) that the left-hander has “been testing positive since he’s been diagnosed.” Chapman has been “mostly symptom-free,” according to Cashman, but he’ll need two negative tests before he’s eligible to rejoin the club.
One of the most dominant relievers in baseball history, the 32-year-old Chapman held his own yet again in 2019 with 57 innings of 2.21 ERA/2.28 FIP ball and 13.42 K/9 against 3.95 BB/9. He also racked up 37 saves, giving him 273 since his career began with the Reds in 2010. Chapman could have opted out of the last two years and $30MM of his previous contract over the winter, but the Yankees prevented him from leaving by tacking on an extra season worth $18MM.
With Chapman unavailable for the time being, Cashman admitted the Yankees’ depth “is gonna be tested once again right out of the gate.” The World Series hopefuls do have at least a few other capable late-game options, though. That includes Zack Britton, who has accumulated 145 career saves and will fill in for Chapman. The Yankees also boast accomplished setup men in Adam Ottavino, Tommy Kahnle and Chad Green.
They honestly can get away without Chapman, who I really like even as a RS fan. Between Britton n O they’ll be fine.
Thank you Johnny Superscout
Is this not what the comments are for?
When you’re spending over $50M on your bullpen pitchers, one would hope there would be adequate depth if your primary closer goes down. Yankees will be fine no matter how long Chappy is out for.
Chappy…. Pfft
Excellent point. Yankees spend far more on the bullpen than anyone else. But it has paid off.
The Yankees will be fine. Chapman has probably continued to throw away from the club. Once he’s clear, he’ll pitch a few simulated games and be back in the fold.
Good thing you cleared that up! Cash you a busy man!
In a surprising plot twist, Chapman has always had this virus and always will.
For whatever reason, I really laughed hard at this.
Chapman should change his number to 19 and then have a Corona
Not even a little worried as long as Britton stays healthy. Chapman looks deadly when he pitches against bad teams but he has a bad tendency to choke in October against real opponents. Come playoffs I’d rather have Britton on the mound in a 1 or 2 run game.
2.45 ERA in the playoffs say otherwise.
Such a number doesn’t tell the entire story. Chappie has been good and bad in the playoffs. Horrible pitch to Altuve last year.
Cubs don’t win in ’16 without him. Non-Cub fans may only remember the HR to Rajai. Cub fans remember him shutting down the Indians in the 9th to force extras.
And shutting down the Giants and the Dodgers and the “Chapman game” which was game 5 of the World Series
He’ll be back in time for Stros to bounce a few the tracks from him on the playoffs.
That’s going to be a bit harder now since they won’t know what pitch is coming
Flip a coin. It’s not that hard to guess when there’s two options. Even Mo choked away two postseasons. It happens to the best of them.
sez you and a coupla garbage cans
32 is well into middle age in baseball years. Hope he’s getting treatment instead of just waiting it out
32 is not well into middle age at all
He fired a few warning shots to scare off the virus.
Chapman had a chance to be HoF as a starter if he/Reds were just a little patient. As in Randy Johnson patient. But, didn’t happen and AC will wrap up his career as little more than an interesting footnote…
Chapman is the most dominating reliever I have ever seen and I am 56. He is already far more than an “interesting footnote” and is a strong HoF candidate. However, I agree it is interesting to think about him as a starter. I say more Chris Sale than Randy Johnson, which is still pretty damn good.
Mo was faaaarrrr better. But maybe you never saw him pitch.
You are correct about Rivera. I would also say Goose Gossage, Bruce Sutter and Rollie Fingers all better then Chapman.
Putting Chappy and Mo in the same sentence is disrespectful
No more xtra innings for my Chapstick! Didn’t Joe Maddon almost destroy his career in the World Series 3 years ago? Smh
Shouldn’t we be more worried about his health than when he will return? How do we know thT he will recover, or be 100%
Because nearly everyone not past their life expectancy recovers?
Nearly is tens of thousands of people.
973 – No. Because unless he has an underlying health issue like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or a compromised immune system, he probably won’t even have symptoms. Notice the stories never talk about these guys being “sick”, just that they tested positive. It’s all fear mongering.
Chapman had his own custom Hummer made and he still got the virus.
Leave my Chapster alone! So what he can’t throw 105 anymore. Can anybody? Feel better, Chappy!!!