Chapman officially becomes U.S. citizen
Aroldis Chapman/Instagram
The next time New York Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman steps on the mound, he'll do so as an American citizen.
In a photo posted to his Instagram account, Chapman declared citizenship with his newly-acquired papers.
"Today is a very important day for me and I want to share it with all of you," Chapman said Friday.
"Today April 29, 2016 I've (become) a U.S. Citizen and I want to thank God and this great nation for the opportunities it has offered me and my family. Very happy to say that I'm a U.S. Citizen."
Chapman defected from Cuba in July 2009 and began seeking citizenship last season as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.
He's currently serving a 30-game suspension for violating the league's domestic violence policy.