Coronavirus diagnosis remains a mystery for Chapman

Aroldis Chapman doesn’t know exactly when he will be ready to anchor the Yankees’ bullpen, but he has more information on that situation than he does about how he contracted the coronavirus that put him on the COVID-19 injured list to start the season.

Chapman tested negative during the intake process, but positive shortly after spring training 2.0 opened.

“I don’t know how or where I contracted the virus,’’ said Chapman, who lost his sense of taste and smell but otherwise wasn’t affected. “I was careful. I was doing what I was supposed to be doing, coming to the Stadium and going home.”

Despite feeling fine, Chapman had to test negative twice before being allowed to rejoin the Yankees and he was immediately sent to the alternate site in Scranton.

“I feel good and I feel normal,” Chapman said Wednesday.

As for a return to a bigleague mound for the first time in a game that counts since Game 6 of last year’s crushing ALCS loss that ended the Yankees’ season, Chapman said he is making progress.

“Faced hitters for the first time [Tuesday] and felt better than expected,’’ Chapman said via Zoom. “Being on the mound and facing hitters and the recovery following that. I believe I have another outing on Thursday or Friday, and if everything goes well, if everything goes the way we want, I think any time after that.’’

Since Chapman was in the Yankees’ clubhouse for a few days in between testing negative and positive, he was concerned he might have infected a teammate or staff member.

“Of course, you are worried about your teammates and you understand the situation you are in. Although there area lot of protocols we follow and we try to do the best we can to keep our distance you still have to train and get your work done working in the gym with other people,’ ’ Chapman said. “I talked to my teammates and let them know, to kind of give them a heads up.’’

➤ The Yankees will start Gerrit Cole on Friday night against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. James Paxton goes Saturday evening and J.A. Happ starts Sunday night. The Yankees have not announced a starter for Monday night.

➤ Tommy Kahnle going down in the first week of the season and needing Tommy John surgery was a big blow for the Yankees’ bullpen since the righthander’s change-up was a legitimate weapon against lefties. However, Jonathan Holder, a disappointment last year, has helped fill the hole left by Kahnle’s departure.

“He has been outstanding for us, primarily with the fourseam fastball and the change-up,’’ pitching coach Matt Blake said of the righthander, who retired one of three batters and gave up a run in the ninth on Wednesday.