Red Sox Expect Chapman Back Within Days as Playoffs Near
The short version
- Chapman has sat out the Red Sox's last five games with a lat injury; his last outing was Sept. 13.
- Manager Chad Tracy said Chapman is a day or two from being ready, but he was unavailable Tuesday.
- The Red Sox are targeting having Chapman ready for the playoffs, which begin Sept. 29.
- Boston is likely to face the Yankees in a best-of-three Wild Card Series in the Bronx.
- At Yankee Stadium, Chapman holds an 88-88 career saves total there with a 3.10 ERA and a .168 opponent average.
Aroldis Chapman, sidelined five games by a lat strain, is close to returning as Boston eyes a Wild Card matchup with the Yankees.
Boston relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman has missed the team's past five contests while dealing with a lat strain. His most recent appearance came on Sept. 13, though the club believes the issue is not a long-term concern.
Manager Chad Tracy indicated Tuesday, in comments relayed by MassLive's Christopher Smith, that Chapman could be ready shortly. Tracy said the team would assess how the right-hander feels before deciding on next steps. Chapman was ruled out for Tuesday's game regardless.
The 28-year-old earned his second consecutive All-Star selection this season while anchoring the back of Boston's bullpen. With the postseason opening Sept. 29, the Red Sox are prioritizing having Chapman fully prepared for October over rushing him back now.
Boston appears headed for a best-of-three Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, a venue Chapman knows well from seven prior seasons in pinstripes. There, opponents have batted .168 against him, and he owns 88 career saves with a 3.10 ERA at the ballpark.
Against the Yankees this season, Chapman has permitted three hits across four innings while striking out four.
Written by the Matchday Live desk from reporting by Yahoo Sports.
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