Yankees get positive injury news on starting pitcher and star closer

The New York Yankees have the best record in baseball, and they have done it while nursing several key injuries in their pitching corps. Fortunately, however, they just received some good news regarding two of those hurlers: starter Domingo Germán and closer Aroldis Chapman.

“Injury update on Domingo Germán from Aaron Boone: Germán will throw three innings live tomorrow. The plan is to send him on a rehab assignment after that,” Max Goodman of SI.com tweeted.

The Yankees’ starters have performed admirably: their 2.84 ERA leads the American League and trails only the Dodgers in MLB. But they need to have Germán, who is recovering from a shoulder issue, around for depth in case something happens to one of the five members of the rotation.

His career has been plagued by inconsistency and some off-the-field incidents, but when healthy, German can be an adequate starter for the Yankees. He has a 4.54 ERA in his four-season MLB tenure so far.

More good news for the Yankees

The Yankees are also missing some relievers: Chad Green is lost for the season with Tommy John surgery, but Jonathan Loáisiga and Aroldis Chapman, for example, are expected back in 2022.

There are some good news to report on Chapman’s front, as the left-handed closer was spotted throwing from Yankee Stadium’s mound.

For the season, Chapman has nine saves, a 3.86 ERA and a horrible 1.64 WHIP. He has been plagued by control and command issues, just like last year, and is currently out with an Achilles injury.

The flamethrowing lefty lost his closer role to right-hander Clay Holmes, who has been masterful while filling in for him, and it’s unclear what Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone will do once both are healthy.

Chapman is hoping to avoid a rehab assignment, but the club hasn’t made that determination yet. In any case, he should be able to return in a matter of days.