Chapman to IL; Zack gets cramp
OAKLAND, Calif. — On a day the Yankees put Aroldis Chapman on the 15-day IL with a leg infection that was the result of a tattoo, fellow left-handed reliever Zack Britton left his second rehab appearance with Low-A Tampa with a leg cramp.
“It’s hot and humid down here,’’ Britton said in an email. “Arm feels great though. Whole body is getting back into playing shape.”
The Yankees are holding out hope Britton could return to their pen for the stretch run.
Saturday was his second rehab game, with Aaron Boone saying this past week he’d need about eight or nine games to be back in The Bronx.
Chapman’s disastrous season got even worse, with a second stint on the IL that will keep him out at least until Sept. 8.
No corresponding move was made, as the Yankees expect Clay Holmes (back) to return from his IL stint on Monday in Anaheim.
Boone said Chapman’s infection had gotten worse since Thursday, when it first became an issue before the series opener against Oakland.
Despite the severity, Boone said he’s hopeful Chapman will be OK in “several days” and will be able to return when he’s eligible. Since the IL stint was backdated to Wednesday, Chapman can return on Sept. 8.
Asked if he was upset Chapman would put himself at risk of something going wrong by getting a tattoo during the season, Boone said his focus was on “getting him right.”
“It’s a personal choice,” Boone said. “Usually it’s a safe thing, but it’s turned into an unfortunate situation that it’s turned into an infection.”
Chapman hadn’t pitched since Aug. 19 against Toronto, when he gave up a run on a hit and two walks, while retiring just one batter.
He also walked a pair and gave up two runs in the outing before that one two days earlier.
The two outings undid what Chapman had managed to accomplish in his previous nine scoreless outings, as the Yankees have completely lost faith in the former closer in any type of pressure situation.
Both Britton and Chapman are in the final years of their deals with the Yankees and their futures are uncertain.