Yankees place Chapman on IL with infection caused by tattoo
The New York Yankees placed left-hander Aroldis Chapman on the injured list due to an infection in his leg that stemmed from a tattoo, the team announced Saturday.
The tattoo was a portrait of Chapman's sister, according to YES Network's Michael Kay.
Chapman hasn't pitched since Aug. 19, in part due to his infection, manager Aaron Boone said, according to YES Network's Jack Curry. The skipper doesn't believe it was risky for Chapman to get a tattoo at this point in the season and expects his former closer to pitch again this year.
"I don't have tattoos. I don't know. So, I mean, that's a personal choice ... usually a pretty safe thing to deal with," Boone said, according to the New York Daily News' Kristie Ackert. "This is more of an unfortunate situation that it has turned into an infection. My focus is on trying to get him right and healthy."
It's been a shaky campaign for the seven-time All-Star, who lost his job as Yankees closer at the beginning of July. The "Cuban Missile" owns career-worst marks in ERA (4.70), FIP (4.79), and WHIP (1.44).
Chapman, who is the owner of 315 career saves, is eligible for free agency at the end of this season.