Saturday, July 11, 2020

Yankees Closer Aroldis Chapman Tests Positive for COVID-19

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced this afternoon that the team's closer Aroldis Chapman has tested positive for COVID-19. Boone said that Chapman is experiencing mild symptoms.

Chapman, 32, is the third member of the Bronx Bombers to test positive for COVID-19. Last week positive results were announced for infielder DJ LeMahieu and pitcher Luis Cessa. As of this writing, Chapman is one of 58 MLB players to have tested positive for COVID-19.

The Cuban born southpaw saved 37 games for the Yankees in 2019. In 10 big league seasons, Chapman has saved 273 games. More than half of those saves came with the Cincinnati Reds. Chapman is currently in his second stint with the Yankees. Sandwiched between these two stints was a layover with the Chicago Cubs in 2016 where he earned a World Series ring. Chapman is a six time All-Star. In only 535 2/3 innings pitched, Chapman has struck out 883 batters.

If 58 players have tested positive now I shudder to think how many players will test positive if MLB proceeds with an abbreviated 60 game schedule. Things are that much more risky given the lag in testing results.

This just isn't worth it.

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