The New York Yankees made the decision to leave controversial reliever Aroldis Chapman off the ALDS roster when he decided to miss a mandatory workout last weekend.
He reportedly wanted the assurance he would make the ALDS roster before attending the workout, the Yankees couldn’t promise anything, and he went home to Miami instead.
The Yanks fined him and left him off the roster: he could have easily gotten in after the Scott Effross injury, but blew his chance and is now on the black list.
He isn’t officially out for the rest of the postseason just yet, though.
According to manager Aaron Boone‘s latest media appearance, there could be a scenario in which the left-hander fireballer finds his way back to the roster for the Championship Series, provided the Yankees make it that far.
“Aaron Boone said that Aroldis Chapman is continuing to throw down in Miami ‘but for now, he’s staying away,'” Yankees insider Bryan Hoch tweeted on Tuesday afternoon.
Aaron Boone said that Aroldis Chapman is continuing to throw down in Miami “but for now, he’s staying away.”
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) October 11, 2022
The Yankees Are Leaving The Door Open
If he is still throwing, the Yankees want to keep his arm fresh just in case.
And, additionally, the use of the phrase “for now” could indicate that the scenario may change.
It’s unclear what it would take for the Yankees to welcome Chapman back to the team.
As a pitcher, he probably didn’t deserve a spot on the Yankees’ roster to face the Cleveland Guardians because he can’t be trusted anymore.
He finished with a 4.46 ERA, which is not good for a modern reliever let alone a closer.
His fastball command is spotty at best, and his attitude doesn’t help.
Chapman will be a free agent after the season, though, and it would be convenient for him to pitch in the postseason.
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