Chapman: I’ve never hurt anyone
TAMPA — Aroldis Chapman says he will challenge the MLB domestic violence suspension lurking over his head — because the reason for the potential ban isn’t who he is.
“If it doesn’t go my way,’’ Chapman said through an interpreter Tuesday, a day after he was excused from spring training to attend to a family matter in Miami. “I haven’t hurt anybody.’’
Asked if he was specifically speaking of the alleged domestic violence incident, which MLB has investigated, the Yankees closer said: “Just in general. I never hurt anybody ever in my life.’’
Chapman, who said he hasn’t talked to MLB investigators for a second time or been in touch with MLB officials, believes the narrative of the story has been somewhat unfair to him.
“Just a little bit, that’s not my character,’’ Chapman said before throwing 27 pitches at George M. Steinbrenner Field, his second bullpen session of spring training.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred could make a decision soon on Chapman, who wasn’t charged by police.
“I don’t know about that,’’ Chapman said. “It’s up to them.”
Joe Girardi said it’s possible a suspension would allow Chapman to work out at the Yankees’ facilities, but not pitch in exhibition games. Brian Cashman labeled that “speculation.’’
Girardi described feeling unclear after he read various police reports of the October incident in which Chapman allegedly choked his girlfriend and fired shots from a gun in his garage.
“I read them the other day. There are different accounts. I don’t know if we will ever truly know what happened,’’ Girardi said. “But when domestic abuse is floated, there is concern for society and concern for me.’’
The allegations against Chapman have made his entry into the Yankees’ universe anything but smooth. Ninety percent of the questions he is asked don’t deal with his 100 mph-plus fa s tball or being part of what many believe to be the best late-inning bullpen in baseball.
hi le Chapman hasn’t flashed the highoctane fast ball in early bullpen sessions, Girardi has been forced to answer questions about trusting a player.
“You give players the benefit of the doubt until they let you down or you feel they haven’t been truthful with you,’’ Girardi said. “It’s important players feel they can trust you on the field and off the field.’’
Responding to Chapman saying he never hurt anybody, Girardi said he wants that to be the truth.
“You hope that is the case. It appears from what I read, there were no marks on her, if I read that right,’’ Girardi said. “But abuse doesn’t have to be just physical.’’
Chapman will be supported by his new teammates, if he requires it.
“He went through a tough situation, and I bet he wants to forget about the moment and move forward,’’ Carlos Beltran said following a workout at the minor league complex. “As a teammate, we are going to support him and be there for him, and I am very happy he is with us. He has a lot of potential to help us. It’s a personal situation and I don’t know much about it. All I can say is nobody wants to go through something like that.’’
george.king@nypost.com
PORT ST. LUCIE — Jacob deGrom’s left groin soreness didn’t last long.
The Mets righty is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, according to manager Terry Collins, after skipping his turn two days earlier because of discomfort in the groin.
DeGrom slipped during a running drill over the weekend and suspects that may have caused the soreness. To play it safe, he long-tossed on Monday and Tuesday instead of throwing from a mound.
The pitcher made an early departure from workouts Tuesday to take his wife, Stacey, to the doctor. The deGroms are expecting their first child in April.
Zack Wheeler is tentatively scheduled to throw from a bullpen mound on Saturday. It will be the righthander’s first mound session since undergoing Tommy John surgery last year in spring training. The Mets expect Wheeler back with the team by July 1.
The Mets expect either a hearing or settlement before Opening Day re ga rd i ng
Hansel Robles’ three-game suspension that was levied late last season for throwing near the head of the Phillies’
Cameron Rupp.
If Robles is suspended to start the season, it’s possible the Mets won’t miss him, given the three off days the first week and the possibility Collins will use starting pitchers in the bullpen during that stretch to keep them loose.
Roger Bernadina is having visa problems and likely won’t report to camp by Wednesday’s deadline for position players. All other invitees have reported to camp.
Mike Piazza’s appearance in camp as a guest instructor will likely come next week.