Aroldis Chapman threw 16 pitches Thursday night. Only four of them found the strike zone. The Yankees’ closer for the last seven years, the 34-year-old has struggled with fastball command over the past two.
Thursday night, Aaron Boone couldn’t wait out another rollercoaster ride. As soon as Chapman walked his third batter, the minimum he had to face under MLB rules, the Yankees manager was slowly walking out to the mound to take the ball from Chapman.
“It’s a tough call,” Boone said after the game.
But it’s one the Yankees have clearly already made. After seeing Chapman struggle last year — to the point where Boone was going to Jonathan Loaisiga to close while he gave time for the veteran closer to work out his issues — the Yankees had a quick hook with him.
“The fastball command was not sharp tonight, a little out of zone,” Chapman said through Yankees translator Marlon Abreu. “But the good thing is guys went in there and did an excellent job and they were able to win this game.”
Mike King went in and cleaned up the mess for his first big league save. He attacked George Springer and struck him out on three pitches and then coaxed a pop-up double play from Bo Bichette.
So, yes, the Yankees were able to pull out the 3-0 win, but they also have to be concerned about Chapman.
Chapman had not just walked three straight batters, but he had walked the bottom of the Blue Jays’ lineup to load the bases and put the tying run at the plate. He’s had these moments before and then he suddenly snaps out of it and wiggles out of the jam.
“I felt like he could have gotten out of it,” Boone said of Chapman. “I didn’t feel like he was too far off by any means…. Just one of those nights.”
But the Cuban native is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career in 2021 and going into the final year on his contract with the Yankees with questions hanging over him.
Chapman finished with a 3.36 ERA (the second highest of his career) and allowed nine home runs, the most he has allowed in an MLB season. He also had one of the worst walk rates (15.6%) of any pitcher in baseball and hitters had the highest hard-contact rate off Chapman in his career.
This spring the Yankees sat Chapman down and talked to him about pitching in the eighth inning in high-leverage situations. He bought into the idea, saying he’s here to pitch and help the team win.
Thursday night, Chapman did not question Boone’s move.
“Like I said, it worked out. So, good decision,” Chapman said.
It’s not the first time that Boone has had to go and get Chapman and he’s got options in the bullpen for high-leverage spots. It was King’s first time stepping in to save a game, but they also have Loaisiga and Chad Green. The bullpen has been dominant so far. They pitched four innings Thursday night to contribute to the second shutout of the season. Through seven games the bullpen has posted a 1.30 ERA and struck out 34. They have tossed at least four innings and allowed an earned run or less in six out of the seven games.
King has been a crucial part of that bullpen success and Chapman smiled when asked about the youngster picking up after him.
“His first save,” Chapman said with a smile. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to him yet, but I am happy for him.”
While Chapman struggling with fastball command isn’t a five-alarm concern, it is something the Yankees have to keep an eye on. They had signed Zack Britton to a four-year, $53 million deal with the idea he could be insurance on the backend of the bullpen, but he had elbow reconstruction surgery last October and isn’t expected back until late in the season. Loaisiga racked up five saves last season as Chapman struggled.
And now King has his first taste of closing and his first save too.
“It was cool.”
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