A ‘SORE’ POINT
CHICAGO — Because Aroldis Chapman wasn’t available to pitch on Tuesday night when a save situation presented itself against the White Sox, an alarm went off.
The Yankees already were working without Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez. And even as deep as their bullpen is, Chapman would be a big loss if there were something seriously wrong.
Following the 13-inning win Tuesday, Aaron Boone said it was general body soreness that kept the closer out and Chapman said it was in his back after throwing 39 pitches on Sunday night in Boston, when he flushed a three-run lead in the ninth inning of game the Yankees lost in 10.
Chapman said he was available if needed Wednesday, but he was not in the Yankees’ 7-3 win, although he warmed up in the ninth inning.
“I feel better today. The back is fine. It is just overall being sore from the amount of pitches on Sunday,’’ Chapman said through an interpreter before the game. “Before that I had [four] days without pitching in a game. When that happens it takes a little longer to recuperate. Today I am good and will be ready for tonight.’’
Chapman, who was picked to be an All-Star, but didn’t pitch in the game because he wanted to rest his balky left knee, has 29 saves in 31 chances.
Armed with a 7-3 lead going into the home ninth Wednesday, Boone called for Jonathan Holder instead of Chapman. Before Holder threw his first pitch, however, Chapman was tossing lightly in the Yankees’ bullpen. Holder got the first two outs, gave up a single and ended the game on Ryan LaMarre’s liner to Brett Gardner in left.
Gleyber Torres started his second game at shortstop as Boone rested Didi Gregorius, who had started 46 of the previous 47 games and was a pinch hitter in the lone game he didn’t start.
The previous game Gregorius didn’t start was June 14 against the Rays, when Ronald Torreyes started at short.
Since coming off the DL July 25, Torres, who went 1-for-3 with two walks and a run scored, is hitting .188 (9-for-48) and had fanned 15 times.
J.A. Happ will make his second start as a Yankee on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium against the Rangers. Happ has been on the DL with hand, foot and mouth disease.
“He threw a bullpen [session Tuesday] and he has been feeling good for several days now so he has been able to work out,’’ Boone said of the lefty, who was acquired from the Blue Jays and is 1-0 for the Yankees. “I think he is really excited to get back with his team. We are excited we can give the ball to him.’’
Rookie right-hander Chance Adams, who took Happ’s start in Boston on Saturday and gave up three runs in five innings, was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Happ.
The Yankees didn’t take batting practice Monday because they didn’t arrive in town until 4:45 a.m. after a 4-hour and 39-minute game Sunday night in Boston. Batting practice was rained out Tuesday, and after needing 13 innings and 4 hours and 26 minutes to win on Tuesday night, the Yankees didn’t take BP before Wednesday night’s game. The streak is expected to stretch to four days Thursday because the Yankees were scheduled to arrive home in the wee hours of the morning.