Yanks’ Chapman gives thumbs up after throwing in bullpen
Aroldis Chapman got through his bullpen Saturday without any issues.
The Yankees' closer gave a thumbs up when asked if he is ready to progress on to a simulated game. After that, Chapman could be quickly activated, Aaron Boone said.
“It's possible it could just be the sim game and then we go," the Yankee manager said. "The second bullpen today went really well. We'll just see how he bounces back, make sure things are fine, the sim game and if that goes well, we should be off and running."
Before Saturday's second game of three against the Blue Jays at the Stadium, Boone said the simulated game for Chapman — and possibly slugger Aaron Judge — would be at the Stadium, but did not know when.
“Not sure the day yet. Whether we do it on the off day (Monday) or Tuesday, we'll see what we have mapped out,” Boone said.
The Yankees have a 1 p.m. start for Tuesday's game with the Red Sox because of Yom Kippur.
Chapman has been on the disabled list since Aug. 22 with tendinitis in his left knee. Friday he said the 20 days without throwing not only helped calm down his balky knee but had his arm feeling fresh.
Without Chapman, the Yankees' bullpen has seen its ERA balloon over a run a game.
COMING ON UP
According to reports from the Times-Tribune in Scranton, the Yankees' top pitching prospect, Justus Sheffield, will be getting the call to the big leagues. The Triple-A team was eliminated from the playoffs Saturday night. Also expected to join the Yankees is pitcher Domingo German.
Boone would not confirm the reports.
DAILY JUDGE-MENT
After making his first appearance in a game since July 26 on Friday, Aaron Judge was back on the bench and ready for any late-game defensive or base running assignments Saturday after he crushed balls into the stands during an early, optional batting practice.
He did not enter the 8-7 loss to the Blue Jays, however.
“More of the same, he continues to progress. He's on the progression that we have mapped out for him, but we'll get through today hopefully have another update for you tomorrow,” Boone said. “Today is more of the same as yesterday.”
After surprisingly and suddenly being activated off the DL before Friday's game, Boone put Judge in to play right field in the top of the eighth inning. He is still not ready to hit in a game yet, but with expanded rosters there is no reason he can't be active and on the bench for such situations. Both Boone and Judge said it was a chance to "knock some rust off."
Judge, who fractured his right wrist in a game July 26, admitted after the game he still had some pain in the wrist and he did not expect it to fully heal until the offseason. Still, he is confident he will be playing in “meaningful games down the stretch.”
Without a chance to play in a minor league rehab game, Judge would likely need at least one simulated game before going into the lineup. He could possibly be part of the sim game planned for Chapman.