Bad news for the Yankees, on Saturday afternoon Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed that Cuban closer, Aroldis Chapman, tested positive for Covid-19, so he had to be removed from the roster, as marked. the MLB protocol manual.
Since the League gave the green light to the 30 organizations to resume their summer camps, previous activities before the 2020 season begins on July 23 and 24, the Cuban had been training normally with his teammates in the Yankee Stadium.
Aroldis Chapman has tested positive, per Aaron Boone. He has “mild symptoms” and he will not be in camp for the foreseeable future.
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) July 11, 2020
Boone told reporters that Chapman has presented some symptoms of the disease but fortunately they have not been serious.
You have mild symptoms, but generally fine.
In this way, Chapman becomes the third player of the Yankees carrying the coronavirus, the other two are the Mexican pitcher Luis Cessa and the North American infielder DJ LeMahieu, who were also isolated and are in Arizona and Michigan, recovering each in their homes.
Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman has tested positive for the coronavirus. We're continuing to update this breaking news story: https://t.co/PEF3lzGloQ
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) July 11, 2020
On whether more cases of infected New York players have been confirmed, the boss denied that there are more sick elements.
At this point we have had no further positive tests. I feel like we are following all the protocols. We have not had any other positive tests.
With Chapman gone and no estimated return date, Boone mentioned that reliever Zack Britton became the natural candidate to replace the Cuban as closer.
With Aroldis Chapman having tested positive for COVID-19, Zack Britton would be a "natural guy" to install as the #Yankees closer, Aaron Boone said.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) July 11, 2020
Boone said that Chapman will not be with the team "for the foreseeable future."