Aroldis Chapman leaves game with left knee tendinitis

Several weeks ago, we learned that Aroldis Chapman was dealing with left knee tendinitis, along with some tightness in his quad. The Yankees believed that he could keep pitching through it, but he has been wearing a knee brace. That injury might have finally caught up to him. Chapman was forced to exit tonight’s game after landing awkwardly on a pitch to Randal Grichuk. He appeared to be limping on that left leg.

Chapman, 30, has been close to automatic this season. The Yankees closer owns a 1.42 ERA with a 1.40 FIP. His 15.63 K/9 rate and 3.55 BB/9 mark both played better than his career average. Chapman figures to be a lock for the All-Star Game when teams are announced tomorrow.

Thankfully the Yankees have arguably the most stacked bullpen in history. If Chapman needs to hit the disabled list, any member of the three-headed setup monster can take over. David Robertson has the most extensive experience as closer, but Dellin Betances has been lights out of late. Chad Green would probably close on several other teams, as well.

We’ll have more on this as details become available. For now, it would behoove the Yankees to just stay on the field. Please.

UPDATE: It sounds like the Yankees were just playing it safe. Thank goodness. The last thing we need is for injuries to pile up.