The Yankees’ already strong numbers to get even better on Monday.
That’s when they expect Aroldis Chapman to return from the injured list of COVID-19.
‘The thought is that he will be here [Monday], ” Aaron Boone said Sunday.
Zack Britton has done well in the role of closer in Chapman’s absence and grabbed his eighth save in equal chances in Sunday’s 4-2 victory over the Red Sox, but Boone is looking forward to the left flamethrower to go to the ninth inning.
“To get [Chapman] back at the rear end [of the bullpen]”I’m really excited about it,” Boone said. ‘The trickle-down [effect] it has is to move other guys with high leverage and it makes us go back a little deeper. It’s not just about [Chapman] and his greatness, but also where other guys sneak up and give you better options throughout the game. “
Chapman has been on the COVID-19 IL since the season began. He tested negative for the coronavirus during the ingestion program, but afterward tested positive.
The 32-year-old finished last year with 32 savings and is in the first year of a three-year deal, $ 48 million.
Britton called Chapman’s performance “enormous.”
‘We are adding a quality arm to give us some depth with Tommy [Kahnle] being out, ” Britton said of Kahnle’s season-ending Tommy John operation.
Chad Green is one of the relievers who have been blooming to start the season. He allowed only six base runners in 12 ² / ₃ innings and struck out 17.
The Yankees improved at home to 9-0 and Mike Ford said even with no fans, they still have an advantage of the home field because of the routine that players can keep. With Sunday’s win, the Yankees are 15-6, their best record through 21 games to start a season since 2003, when they went 18-3.
Tyler Wade has seen what Clint Frazier has been doing since he was recalled from the alternative side after Aaron Judge hit the IL with a battered calf and hopes to have a similar success with DJ LeMahieu out with a scattered thumb.
“We know what kind of players we are and we are with the best team in baseball,” Wade said of her roles. ‘We have superstars and All-Stars in every position and we realize that and we just have to take it in every day and get your work in like you’ll be playing that night. If you take that mindset, it shows in Clint’s game. He went there [to the alternate site] as he would return. You never know when that time will be. He does his thing and hopefully I follow his lead. ”
Britton called Frazier, “a special talent. On most teams, he is on the opening day roster and starts in the field. ‘
Major League Baseball commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues on Sunday.
The Yankees wore a patch to honor the league at Sunday’s game and the team also had a video tribute to Buck O’Neil.
Judge also wore a T-shirt in honor of Jackie Robinson during his Zoom call with reporters on Sunday, recalling how CC Sabathia would bring teammates to the Negro League Museum when the Yankees visited Kansas City.
Jordan Montgomery was placed on Monday to make his fourth start – and second against the Red Sox – of the season -.
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