Another season, another strange injury for Aroldis Chapman.
Chapman, now with the Royals, slipped and fell in his home on Saturday, cracking a tooth and splitting his lip which requires stiches, according to MLB.com.
The left-hander appears he will escape any missed time from the mound and is still expected to throw on Tuesday at a bullpen session prior to a Cactus League game. Chapman’s unique start to his Royals tenure comes after a rough ending to his time with the Yankees.
The 34-year-old posted a career-worst 4.46 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 36 1/3 innings in 43 appearances. He also spent time on the IL with a leg infection caused by a tattoo. With a playoff roster spot far from guaranteed, Chapman did not show up for a team workout before the ALDS and that signaled the end of his career in pinstripes.
Spring training may reveal where Chapman will fit in the Royals’ bullpen after joining the team on a one-year $3.75 million deal in January. He is expected to compete with Scott Barlow for the closer’s role.
Chapman spent seven years in the Bronx after signing a five-year, $86 million contract with the Yankees in 2016, the largest contract ever for a relief pitcher at the time. Following his 2.21 ERA and sixth All Star season in 2019, the Yankees extended his contract at an additional $18 million.
The 2016 World Series champ with the Cubs could set himself up for one more lavish multi-year deal if he could rediscover the form that made him one of the more feared closers in baseball. Chapman’s contract in Kansas City could also increase to a total of $8.75 million depending on games finished and other performance markers.
Chapman broke into the big leagues at 22-years-old with the Cincinnati Reds in 2010, where he spent six years and made the All Star list four times. He also had a stint with the Chicago Cubs before going to the Yankees in 2016.