Yankees’ Aroldis Chapman to miss ‘about a month’ with rotator cuff inflammation

UPDATE: Chapman is expected to miss “about a month” with the inflammation, according to team general manager Brian Cashman. Though he has no structural damage, Chapman will likely return around mid-June.
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ORIGINAL: The Yankees have placed star closer Aroldis Chapman on the 10-day disabled list with left rotator cuff inflammation, the team announced. In a corresponding move, they called up right-hander Chad Green from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Chapman has not been the same closer since returning to New York this past offseason by signing a record five-year, $86 million deal after being dealt to the Cubs midway through the 2016 season and helping them win the World Series. The flame-throwing southpaw has posted a 3.55 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 21 strikeouts while racking up seven saves in 14 appearances this season, but his injury may explain his struggles. Last year, he had 40 saves in 72 appearances between the Yankees and the Cubs.

Despite Chapman’s performance so far, the Yankees are first in the AL East at 21-12. Their record is the second-best in the AL and third in all of baseball behind the Astros (25-11) and the Nationals (23-12).

With Chapman out, the Yankees will now turn the ninth inning over to setup man Dellin Betances, who had difficulty as the Yankees’ closer down the stretch last season after they traded Chapman. They will also have fellow relievers Tyler Clippard, Adam Warren and Jonathan Holder to pitch in between the Yankees’ starters and Betances. The Yankees bullpen has a 2.50 ERA, which is the fourth-best in MLB.