The New York Yankees placed left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman on the injured list because of elbow inflammation prior to Saturday's game against the Seattle Mariners. In a corresponding move, the Yankees recalled right-hander Nick Nelson from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Chapman, 33, had posted a 3.63 ERA (120 ERA+) and a 2.43 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his first 43 appearances this season. He'd pitched just twice so far in August, most recently on Thursday evening, when he threw only 14 of his 30 pitches for strikes. Two other aspects of Chapman's outing stood out: 1) he threw more sliders than fastballs (a rarity for someone whose fastball accounts for nearly 60 percent of his offerings this season); and 2) his fastball, though still measured at 97.4 mph, was down more than a full tick versus his seasonal average.
With Chapman on the mend, the Yankees will likely turn to some combination of Chad Green and Jonathan Loaisiga in the ninth inning. Manager Aaron Boone could also turn to Zack Britton if so desired, though his struggles this season may leave him as a last resort.
The Yankees now have 19 players on the injured list, including starting pitchers Gerrit Cole and Jordan Montgomery and catcher Gary Sánchez, each of whom has tested positive for COVID-19. The Yankees are also without Luke Voit, Miguel Andújar, Clint Frazier, Aaron Hicks, Corey Kluber, and Luis Severino.
Nelson, 25, has made 21 appearances in the majors over the past two seasons. In those outings, he's compiled a 6.62 ERA (66 ERA+) and a 1.60 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
The Yankees entered Saturday with a 60-49 record on the season, good for third place in the American League East and some 5 ½ games back of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees, who are 19-10 since July 1, are just 1 ½ games back in the wild card race.
