The last we heard of New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman was that he was unable to produce consecutive negative tests. With COVID-19 hitting the Miami Marlins hard, baseball has been forced to rearrange schedules and compensate appropriately.
The Yankees will now face off against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on Wednesday and Thursday. They were originally scheduled to play against the Philadelphia Phillies, who are coming off a three-game series against Miami.
The New York Yankees must tread lightly:
While the 2020 season remains a massive struggle and changes will have to be made as we go, the Yankees are set to gain back one stud player soon.
Chapman, who was still testing positive as of last Wednesday, is apparently “doing well,” according to Aaron Boone. He is reportedly asymptomatic and could return with the Yankees by next week given his tests come back in good fashion. In the meantime, the Yankee have been utilizing Zack Britton as a closer when necessary, as he finished the game on Sunday night against the Washington Nationals.
The Yankees are currently 2-1 on the season. Last week, general manager Brian Cashman compared Chapman’s situation to both DJ LeMahieu and Luis Cessa, who have both been cleared to return to baseball activity. LeMahieu has featured in the Yankees’ last two games, with Cessa working his way back.
Chapman simply cannot pass the administered test but has been working out plenty in this New York City apartment. With a team as strong as the Yankees, they can supplement his loss for the time being, but eventually, they will need his services to close out games as the season progresses. In 2019, Chapman logged 37 saves, with 85 strikeouts and allowed just three home runs. He was an All-Star for the second consecutive season.
Hopefully, he can return quickly and not skip a beat after giving up a season-ending homer to Jose Altuve in the ALCS last year.