The New York Yankees have activated left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman from suspension. The left-handed pitcher is done serving his 30-game suspension for domestic violence. 

New York manager Joe Girardi told Joel Sherman of the New York Post that Chapman will be the closer once he makes his return. Expect to see Chapman in action on Monday if there is a save situation. Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances will pitch in the seventh and eighth inning for the Yankees. 

However, Chapman still believes he did nothing wrong. 

I didn’t do anything,” Chapman said. “People are thinking that it’s something serious; I have not put my hands on anyone, didn’t put anyone in danger. Since I didn’t do anything like that, I’m not thinking about it. If I didn’t do anything, why should I think about it? That is in the past. Now I’m thinking about more important things: my family, kids, my career.”

The situation 

Chapman, in October 2015, allegedly choked his girlfriend and shot a gun eight times in his garage. The police were called and arrived at the scene. No charges were filed in the situation, but MLB still owned the power to punish the reliever. 

It was just an argument with your partner that everyone has. I’ve even argued with my mother,” the closer said. “When you are not in agreement with someone, we Latin people are loud when we argue.”

Are Latino players an easy target? 

On Sunday, Chapman clarified after many speculated that he said Latino players were targets because they do not understand the laws in the United States. 

I was not talking about MLB, or anything regarding the suspension or the suspension of any Latinos under the new MLB policy,” he said. “It had nothing do with that. I was talking about what could happen to us on the street, wherever we are, to all of us Latinos who come from other countries, Cuba, Dominican Republic, anyone who does not know the system and doesn’t have much knowledge about the U.S., there are many people who take advantage of that. We come from different countries and cultures. That’s what I was talking about.”

Trading Chapman might be the best idea

The Yankees are 11-18 and 6.5 games back from the Baltimore Orioles, who are in first place of the American League East. The last place team needs to turn things around sooner than later. Chapman could become trade value in June or July if the offense can not start to produce.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has mentioned that the Washington Nationals have shown interest in both Chapman and Miller. Besides Jonathan Papelbon in the closers role, Washington has weak depth in the back of the bullpen. 

Stats on Chapman

The native of Holguin, Cuba is currently on a one-year deal for $11.33 million with the Yankees. In 2015 with the Cincinnati Reds, Chapman owned a 1.63 ERA and logged 33 saves across 66.1 innings of work. 

Back in action on Monday

The 28-year-old will be back in action on Monday for the Yankees against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium at 7:05 PM ET. 

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About the author
Evan Petzold
Evan Petzold is a Detroit-based journalist with expertise in covering the Tigers, Pistons, and Red Wings. A member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA) and Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association (DBSA), he brings a unique skill set in reporting and broadcasting to the table.