The New York Yankees suffered another huge blow to their bullpen on Saturday when manager Aaron Boone announced that left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman was landing on the IL. But the reason for the injury was anything but conventional.
According to Boone, Chapman suffered an infection stemming from getting a recent tattoo on his leg.
“[Chapman’s] got an infection in his leg right now. We’re hoping we’d kind of knock it out and be able to take care of it the last couple days, but it’s still significant enough, from a tattoo he recently got; he’s got a pretty bad infection in there,” Boone explained before Saturday’s game against the A’s. “He was actually at the hotel yesterday [Friday], still back at the hotel now. We’re treating him with antibiotics and things like that. So he’s got an infection that he’s dealing with that’s going to force him on the IL.”
The decorated reliever traveled with the Yankees to Oakland for their four game stint against the A’s this weekend. But he was unable to pitch due to increased pain in his leg.
“We’re treating him with antibiotics and things like that,” Boone added. “Hopefully he’s good in several days. We can backdate this a few days, but we have to get our arms around it and get the infection out of there. It’s gotten a little bit worse over the last two days.”
According to ESPN, the Yankees are legitimately concerned about the infection, and event thought about checking Chapman into a hospital over the weekend.
As for whether any blame could be placed on Aroldis Chapman, Aaron Boone made a good point when noting that no, normally these injuries don’t arise from a simple tattoo procedure.
“I don’t have tattoos. That’s a personal choice [but] usually a pretty safe thing to deal with,” Boone said. “This is more of an unfortunate situation that has turned into an infection. My focus is on trying to get him right and help him.”
Aroldis Chapman is having a down year despite his storied career. Although he’s been more effective of late, the left-hander has a 4.70 ERA in 36 appearances on the season.
The team has been going with a closer by committee approach in recent weeks.
Welcome to the game outside the game! Follow us on our Sideaction Twitter handle, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest on sports and pop culture news across the web!
🔥 Hot from Side Action 🔥
- Lala Anthony Blames Knicks for the ‘Demise of their Relationship’
- Ja Morant Being Linked to Singer Lotto’s Sister Brooklyn
- Rumor: Instagram Model ‘Ayyyejae’ Connected to Phoenix Suns Is Now Pregnant by NBA Player
- Rumor: Jalen Rose Spotted With New Girlfriend Angela Rye
- Spurs Josh Richardson is Dating Former America’s Next Top Model Runner-Up Tatiana Elizabeth