TRENTON, NJ—The New York Yankees closer, Aroldis Chapman, feels he is ready to go back to the big leagues after being on the disabled list with a left rotator cuff inflammation.
On a rehab assignment, Chapman pitched the first inning at the Arm and Hammer Park for Double-A Trenton Thunder. After two outs, four batters, and throwing 20 pitches, Chapman was removed from the game.
Thunder Manager, Bobby Mitchell, explained the plan in place before the game:
“One inning (or 20 pitches), then he is out of here,” Mitchell said. “Then he is off to Oakland.”
Chapman reached 102 miles-per-hour on multiple pitches, threw nine strikes out of his 20 total pitches.
He should be activated to play with the New York Yankees on Sunday:
“I felt good out there,” Chapman said through a translator. “I know my command wasn’t 100 percent, but I felt really good. The good thing is I know I am going to come back strong.”
Chapman has not pitched in a game since May 12th, against the Houston Astros, but having played this game, he feels ready to help his team make it to the playoffs. Although he did not receive the results he was hoping for, Chapman feels healthy and ready to contribute at the Major League level, again.
“I haven’t thrown in a while; this was the first game I’ve pitched in, so over time I will get better.”
So far this year, with the Yankees, Chapman is 1-0, with seven saves and a 3.55 ERA in 14 games.