The New York Yankees announced Monday they added closer Aroldis Chapman to the active roster after MLB reinstated him from the restricted list.
The team sent relief pitcher Johnny Barbato down to Triple-A in order to open up a spot for Chapman.
The 28-year-old finished serving a 30-game suspension to start the 2016 season, which MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred handed down after Chapman was investigated for an alleged domestic violence incident last October. In January, prosecutors in Broward County, Florida, declined to pursue charges against Chapman, who said in a statement he wouldn’t appeal Manfred’s ruling, per ESPN.com:
The decision to accept a suspension, as opposed to appealing one, was made after careful consideration. I made this decision in an effort to minimize the distractions that an appeal would cause the Yankees, my new teammates and most importantly, my family. I have learned from this matter, and I look forward to being part of the Yankees’ quest for a 28th World Series title. Out of respect for my teammates and my family, I will have no further comment.
Despite the fact Andrew Miller has picked up six saves and failed to surrender an earned run in 12 appearances, Chapman will likely assume ninth-inning duties—if not immediately upon his reinstatement, then in a relatively short time.
Manager Joe Girardi announced on YES Network (h/t ESPN.com’s Andrew Marchand) in January that Chapman would be the Yankees’ closer, and he reiterated the stance Saturday.
“It’s something I’ve thought about,” Girardi said, per the New York Post‘s Dan Martin. “It could depend on what’s available on Monday. My plan is to use [Chapman] in the ninth inning.”
The manager added he wouldn’t hesitate to use Chapman in a tight situation in his first game back: “You don’t necessarily do that with any other pitcher in the sense that when it’s [the] first game of the year, you don’t. You want to get their feet wet. I think it would be different if he were a rookie. This is an experienced closer. I expect to pitch him in the ninth.”
Between Chapman, Miller and Dellin Betances, the Yankees should have the most potent bullpen trio in baseball:
Of course, a strong bullpen isn’t all that valuable when a team isn’t any good. Chapman, Miller and Betances can’t lift the Yankees out of last place all by themselves.
The Yankees rank 27th in team batting average (.232), 24th in on-base percentage (.302) and 29th in slugging percentage (.356). They’ve also scored the second-fewest runs in MLB.
Chapman’s return may have little impact on New York’s playoff chances if Girardi is unable to get more from his offense.
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