OAKLAND, Calif. — After getting tattooed for most of the season, former Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman is now on the IL because of an infection in his leg caused by a recent tattoo.
Aaron Boone announced the news before Saturday night’s game against the A’s.
No corresponding move was made, as the Yankees expect Clay Holmes to return from his IL stint on Monday in Anaheim against the Angels.
Boone said the infection is serious enough that Chapman has stayed back at the team hotel, but he is optimistic that he’ll be ready to go by the time he’s eligible to return.
Asked if he was upset Chapman would put himself at risk of something going wrong by getting a tattoo during the season, Boone said his focus was on “getting him right.”
“It’s a personal choice,” Boone said. “Usually it’s a safe thing, but he has to deal with it, unfortunately.”