Star call no biggie for Chapman
When the All-Star teams are announced Sunday, there’s a good chance Aroldis Chapman will hear his name for the first time since 2014.
He’s fine if it happens, but says his focus isn’t on the Midsummer Classic on July 17 in Washington..
“I’ll be happy if I go, but if I don’t I’ll be OK,’’ Chapman said through an interpreter. “For me, it means you’re having a good season if you make the All-Star team, but what’s more important is to have a good season throughout whole year. It’s really important to finish strong.”
At 30, the lefty is having perhaps his best season since 2014 and has shown no signs of slowing down.
Though he doesn’t quite dial it up like he used to — partially by design — Chapman showed Monday he is still capable of hitting 104 mph, which he did twice in that outing against Atlanta.
“I’m definitely older, but I’m not that old,’’ Chapman said. “I’ve been able to maintain my velocity for the most part. I’m not throwing as hard, but the difference is minimal.’’
Chapman was having a fairly dominant season with the Yankees two years ago when he was traded to the Cubs and wound up winning a World Series before he came back to The Bronx the following offseason.
He has his sights set on another title.
“Winning here would be special,’’ Chapman said. “To be here from the start and to finish it by winning it all would be great.”
Even with a two-homer game against the Red Sox and an RBI single in Wednesday’s win over Atlanta, Greg Bird’s last month has been ugly.
Since June 6, the first baseman has played 23 games and gone just 12-for-71 with two doubles, three homers, a dozen walks and 22 strikeouts. His OPS of .725 this year is among the worst for first basemen in the majors.
GM Brian Cashman continues to believe a turn is coming.
“He’s always been a hitter,’’ Cashman said Thursday. “It’s unusual for someone like that to struggle like he has, but we’re betting on his ceiling.”
Aaron Boone said he’d be fine if Luis Severino was pegged to start the All-Star Game for the American League.
Severino will pitch Saturday in Toronto, and Boone said on WFAN on Thursday that with the right-hander scheduled to make his following start next Thursday in Cleveland, he’d have plenty of time to get ready for the Midsummer Classic.
“He’ll be well-rested if that’s the way they want to go,’’ Boone said. “As long as [Houston manager] A.J. Hinch doesn’t get carried away [with the pitch count].”