New York Yankees completely botching Aroldis Chapman situation
Aroldis Chapman has not been close to himself this season. While he has earned the save in all nine of his chances this year, the New York Yankees closer has walked a tightrope all season. His command has been questionable at best while his strikeouts have plummeted. As he is 34 years old, it is fair to wonder if the years were starting to catch up to him.
Chapman had another rough outing in Game One of the Yankees’ doubleheader against the White Sox on Sunday. He allowed two runs on two hits, including a homer, and a walk, recording just one out as he took the loss. That performance pushed Chapman to a 3.86 ERA and a 1.643 WHiP in his 14 innings, striking out 15 batters with ten walks.
New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman battling injury
It turns out that there may actually be another reason as to why Chapman has been struggling. Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed that Chapman has been dealing with an issue with his Achilles and that it may have been affecting him today.
There are two major questions with that statement. First, “may have been?” Chapman clearly had nothing on Sunday and that injury may have been a part of it. Second, if the Yankees know he is hurt, and that is why he has not been able to perform at his usual level, why is he on the mound?
It is not as though the Yankees are devoid of options. Michael King has put himself into the conversation as a possible closer of the future. Clay Holmes has four saves on the year. The Yankees do not need to be sending out an injured Chapman when they have other options.
Maybe that is going to change. Admitting that Chapman is hurt and that it could be affecting his performance is a step in the right direction. Since this is clearly an issue, maybe it is time to determine how injured Chapman is and determine the next steps instead of continuing to send him to the mound in the hope that this time will be different.
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Aroldis Chapman is not right. It is time that the New York Yankees face reality and determine how injured he actually is before his next outing.