The Yankees are locked in a dogfight with the Oakland A’s for the first wild card spot. The return of Aroldis Chapman should boost New York.
As October approaches, the New York Yankees are slowly but surely returning to full strength. To return to full capacity, Aroldis Chapman has to take his rightful place at the back of Aaron Boone’s bullpen. Fortunately for New York, the Cuban closer is slated to return from injury next week.
Boone told reporters the current plan is for Chapman to throw a side session on Thursday and some type of simulated game on the weekend. If he passes both tests to the satisfaction of the Yankees training staff, he should be in line to come off the disabled list “sometime next week.” His return can’t come soon enough for a team that desperately needs an emotional lift.
That isn’t to say Chapman can’t help this team on the field but the bullpen has dealt with his absence admirably. There have been a few hiccups here and there, but for the most part, the group has continued to do their job without their most talented left-hander.
Chapman does bring a certain swagger to the group, though. Each member of the Yankees pitching staff throws the ball a little more freely with the knowledge that Chapman is lurking behind them to clean up their mistakes. That kind of mental lift could prove to be the difference between the Yankees hosting a Wild Card game or traveling to Oakland for a winner take all game.
The key, as with every injured Yankee, is to get Chapman up and running before the playoffs arrive. Ideally, Boone can get him several meaningful outings before the calendar turns to October. He doesn’t need a ton of innings to get back into the swing of things, but Boone doesn’t want his first return to the mound to come in the Wild Card game.
Unless Chapman suffers a setback this week, that shouldn’t be the case. He should be back in plenty of time to get some work in the final stages of the regular season. If this team is going to make noise in October, getting their star closer back is a must.