Yanks still under luxury tax threshold; Red Sox, Nats over

NEW YORK » The New York Yankees are set to achieve their goal of coming under baseball’s luxury tax threshold for the first time since the penalty started in 2003.

Boston and Washington remain the only teams on track to pay the tax his year, according to Aug. 31 figures compiled by the commissioner’s office for clubs and obtained by The Associated Press.

The Yankees’ updated luxury tax payroll is $192.1 million, an increase from $178.8 million at the season’s start. New York is set to finish below this year’s $197 million threshold even with possible performance bonuses of $500,000 for pitcher CC Sabathia pitching 155 innings and $125,000 for infielder Neil Walker reaching 425 plate appearances, plus the addition of nearly $3,000 a day for each September call-up on expanded 40man active rosters.

New York has paid the tax in 15 straight years, a total of $341 million.

Boston’s luxury tax payroll was at $238.4 million on Aug. 31, up from $233.9 million on opening day. That boosted the projected tax for the AL East-leading Red Sox to $11.3 million from $9.4 million. Boston, which has the best record in the majors, added pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and second baseman Ian Kinsler ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.

Washington’s luxury tax payroll was second at $203.9 million, an increase from $201.1 million that raised the projected tax of the nearly eliminated Nationals to $2.1 million from $1.2 million.

Both figures may go up because of earned bonuses and call-ups.

Yankees’ Chapman could return from DL next week

MINNEAPOLIS » New York Yankees All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman could return next week from nearly a month on the disabled list.

Chapman has not pitched since Aug. 21 because of left knee tendinitis, which has bothered him throughout the season. The 30-yearold left-hander threw a bullpen session Wednesday and was to return to New York for treatment. Manager Aaron Boone anticipates another bullpen session this weekend, then a return. “Hopefully back with us, if everything goes well, sometime next week,” Boone said.

Chapman has a 2.11 ERA and 31 saves in 33 chances. Dellin Betances has closed mostly in Chapman’s absence. New York’s bullpen also includes David Robertson, Zach Britton and Chad Green.

“You can look at it the same way you look at our lineup,” Boone said. “When we were at our best, one of the reasons was the length of our lineup. We’re able to hurt you from everywhere . ... Same way with our bullpen . ... ”