Yankees place closer Chapman on the DL

The New York Yankees’ injury wave has reached the ninth inning.

All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday with tendinitis in his left knee. He joined right fielder Aaron Judge, shortstop Didi Gregorius and catcher Gary Sanchez on the DL for the Yankees, who have baseball’s second-best record despite their misfortune.

Manager Aaron Boone said he expected Chapman back for the final stretch for the season. Chapman said he hoped he would be ready to pitch again as soon as he’s eligible.

“That’s what you hope for that it’s only 10 days,” the Cuban left-hander said through a translator. “We’ve got to rest and see how the knee reacts.”

Chapman said his knee discomfort dates back to May, but this is his first stint on the DL this year. The diagnosis came after he underwent an MRI, and he’ll fly to New York for further examination Friday. SANCHEZ INJURY INVOLVED SUITCASE >> Add Toronto righthander Aaron Sanchez to the list of big leaguers to suffer suitcase-related injuries this year.

Sanchez acknowledged Wednesday that the bruised right index finger that has sidelined him for the past two months occurred when his finger got caught in a falling suitcase. The incident happened June 21, hours before Sanchez took the mound against the Angels with about 180 friends and family from his hometown of Barstow in the crowd.

“It got stuck in my suitcase and it started falling,” Sanchez said. “It all happened in a span of about 30 seconds. I said ‘Ow,’ and my knuckle got super fat. I pitched that day, probably didn’t help, but it was the first time I was going to pitch in front of my family as a professional and I wanted to see what I could do.”