the Yankees will use Aroldis Chapman as a setup man in the eighth inning

April 5, 2022

The 'Cuban Missile' could adopt a new role in the Yankees pitching staff for the 2022 Major League Baseball Season.

Aroldis Chapman has 306 saves in his career before the 2022 MLB.

The New York Yankees continue making adjustments to their game strategy heading into the 2022 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, moves among which they are considering using Cuban Aroldis Chapman as a setup man in the eighth inning.

According to the MLB.com report, the manager of the Bronx Bombers, Aaron Boone, would be willing to use Aroldis Chapman during the eighth inning when save opportunities are scarce. "I think it's something that will help him and will definitely help our pitching staff as a whole," said Boone. The move aims to reduce the long rest periods of the 'Cuban Missile' and thus be able to keep him in shape, as last year he was seen on several occasions doing bullpen sessions after games ended due to his inactivity.

"They told me that sometimes I'm going to enter the game in the eighth. At the end of the day, I'm here to throw. Whatever works," Chapman said about it.

For its part, the New York ninth would be partially addressing the absence of its left-handed setup man Zack Britton, who recently underwent Tommy John surgery and will be out practically the entire season. Chapman could take on the setup man role mainly on occasions when the Yankees find themselves down by a small margin, as this would help keep the scoreboard closed, giving the offense the opportunity to react in the ninth inning.

Similarly, it is very likely that Aroldis Chapman will make his appearance in the eighth inning when the rival team lines up mostly left-handed batters, giving rest to part of the bullpen for the next day.