New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman injured his pitching hand in a postgame celebration at Target Field following the division series sweep of the Minnesota Twins on Monday night.
Chapman wore a large bandage and wrap over his left hand when he met with reporters following the champagne and beer celebration of the team’s three-game sweep. The protective covering was the size of a small ham and any damage to the left-hander’s hand was not visible.
Through an interpreter, Chapman said he will be OK for the American League Championship Series against the winner of the ongoing Houston Astros-Tampa Bay Rays series.
“I was just celebrating, and everyone was jumping around,” said Chapman. “(My hand) got hit with a bottle. But it’s fine.”
Chapman’s injury came after Yankees left-hander Zack Britton left the game in the eighth inning with an ankle injury.
General manager Brian Cashman said neither injury is believed to be serious. The Yankees expect both powerful lefties to pitch in the ALCS.
“I saw it when he walked by,” Cashman said, via NJ.com. “It’s a question on my mind. You know what he did? He gave me a fist bump with the wrap on his wrist. So, I was like, what’s that? … He had a huge smile on his face. I fist bumped it.”
