Chapman may escape ban til next year

Aaron Boone said he hasn’t received official word that Aroldis Chapman’s appeal of a three-game suspension will bleed into next year but said Monday there is a possibility that will happen.

“Sounds like a chance of that it will go into next year,’’ Boone said prior to the Yankees’ 11-5 loss to the Blue Jays at Sahlen Field in Buffalo. “But then again I haven’t been told anything officially. I am treating it that he is with us and if something comes up between now and then we will adjust, but I am planning on him being with us.’’

Jon Heyman reported Monday the delay is due to an issue involving the availability of witnesses.

Since the Twins and Yankees are competing against each other for the No. 4 seed in the first round of the playoffs in which the higher seed will host all the games of the best-of-three series, the Twins can’t be pleased the Yankees won’t have to play a few of their final six games without their closer.

Chapman received a threegame suspension shortly after buzzing the Rays’ Mike Brosseau’s head with a 101 mph fastball on Sept. 1 at Yankee Stadium, a pitch that led to dugouts emptying but no fights. Chapman believed the suspension was harsh and appealed it.

“I feel great, feel like he is in a good place and feel like he has been throwing the ball well,’’ Boone said when asked about the likelihood of having Chapman for the remainder of the regular season. “Really pleased where he is at in this point of the season and looking forward to him playing a huge role hopefully this final week and into October.’’

➤ Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu was named AL Player of the Week on Monday. It is the second time in LeMahieu’s career he has won the award. The previous time was July 1, 2019. He is the second Yankee this season to win the award. Aaron Judge won it on Aug. 3.

In six games LeMahieu batted .423 with four homers and 10 RBIs. From Tuesday to Thursday, LeMahieu homered in three straight games and hit two on Wednesday.

“Obviously a cool honor,’’ said LeMahieu, who went 2-for-4 in Monday night’s 11-5 loss to the Blue Jays in Buffalo and leads the majors with a .365 average. White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson is next at .355.

➤ Yankees didn’t have a starter listed for Thursday night’s game against the Blue Jays but Boone said it probably would be Jordan Montgomery.