Yanks’ Chapman could return soon

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.

Chapman has a 2.11

ERA and 31 saves in 33 chances.

Cubs: Right-hander Yu Darvish underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow to clean out loose debris.

Darvish was declared out for the season last month after an MRI revealed a stress reaction in the elbow.

The Cubs said Darvish would be ready for spring training.

Mets: Top prospect Peter Alonso was honored at Citi Field in New York as the organization’s minor league player of the year, about two weeks after the team frustrated fans by declining to promote him to the major leagues.

Alonso’s agents, Adam Karon and Tripper

Johnson, said at the time it was “disheartening” that Alonso wasn’t among the club’s September call-ups, and Alonso said Wednesday he was “disappointed.”

The Mets said they were concerned about finding Alonso playing time at first base. The team also would have had to add him to the 40-man roster and start his service-time clock.

Playing for the 51s, Alonso hit a walk-off home run Sept. 3 in the final game at Cashman Field.

Luxury tax: The 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.