Star left-handed relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman has become the third New York Yankees player to test positive for COVID-19, dealing Aaron Boone’s club some news which could alter its roster plans for the beginning of the season.
Chapman, the Cuban flamethrower, will be sidelined until he tests negative for coronavirus twice. He will not be able to rejoin the team until that point, at which he will be released from quarantine.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that the veteran pitcher “has mild symptoms, but (is) doing well.”
Chapman has become one of the best relievers in Major League Baseball since defecting from Cuba and signing with the Cincinnati Reds in 2010. In the past ten seasons, he has accumulated six All-Star appearances and one AL Reliever of the Year Award.
His recognition as the American League’s best relief pitcher came last season, in which he posted a 2.21 ERA in 60 appearances along with 85 strikeouts.
Chapman, who is penciled in to be the Yankees’ closer once again in 2020, will leave his team’s bullpen with a significant hole in it if he isn’t ready for Opening Day.
No matter what the final result, however, New York should get Chapman back if his symptoms don’t get worse sooner rather than later.