Chapman was placed on the injured list Saturday with an infection in his leg, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The issue reportedly stemmed from a tattoo Chapman received. Chapman hasn't pitched in over a week and allowed three runs while walking four batters in his last two appearances, though it's unclear exactly when the problem started bothering him. The back of the Yankees' bullpen is quite beat up at the moment, with Clay Holmes (back) and Scott Effross (shoulder) also out, though Holmes should return Monday and now seemingly has a clearer path to reclaiming closer duties. Lou Trivino or Jonathan Loaisiga could be candidates to record a save over the weekend.

Chapman allowed a run on one hit and two walks over one-third of an inning against Toronto on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman entered in the ninth inning with New York down by three runs, so his struggles didn't do much to impact the outcome of the game. Nonetheless, it's discouraging that the veteran fireballer was unable to find the strike zone -- he threw just five of 14 pitches over the plate and walked the final two batters he faced to load the bases. Chapman was presumed to be in line to regain his closing role when Clay Holmes (back) moved to the injured list Aug. 16, but since that time Chapman has walked four batters and given up three runs over one inning across two appearances. He hasn't been used in a save situation, but it wouldn't be surprising if Scott Effross is called upon the next time a closer is needed given Chapman's ugly past two outings.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Chapman and Scott Effross will serve as the team's primary closing options while Clay Holmes (back) is on the 15-day injured list, Randy Miller of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though the left-handed Chapman has the overwhelming edge over right-handed Effross in terms of closing experience, Boone suggested that a two-pronged approach to the late-inning situations may be the Yankees' best option in the short term. Even so, Chapman still looks like the preferred waiver-wire pickup of the two relievers, especially now that he's seemingly regained top form after a few rocky outings upon his return from an Achilles injury in early July. Though he hasn't picked up any save chances since being activated, Chapman enters Wednesday's game against the Rays having turned in nine straight scoreless appearances while striking out 10 and putting only five runners on base across 9.1 innings.

Chapman appears to be the top candidate to step in as the Yankees' primary closer after manager Aaron Boone suggested following Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Rays that Clay Holmes (back) will likely go on the injured list, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Chapman hasn't received any save opportunities since returning July 1 from an IL stint of his own due to Achilles tendinitis, he's started to resemble the dominant end gamer he's been throughout most of his career, especially in his more recent appearances. Dating back to July 26, Chapman has turned in nine straight scoreless outings while delivering an 0.43 WHIP and 10:1 K:BB in 9.1 innings over that stretch. Despite not having held the closer's role since landing on the IL in late May, Chapman is likely still rostered in the majority of fantasy leagues, but Holmes' impending absence means that the 34-year-old lefty should be scooped up immediately if he happens to be sitting on the waiver wire anywhere.

Chapman picked up his first hold, striking out two batters in a perfect inning against the Red Sox on Friday, while Clay Holmes blew his third straight save opportunity in the contest. Yankees manager Aaron Boone suggested after the loss that Holmes could see fewer ninth-inning opportunities, per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic.

EDGE Analysis

There had already been hints that Chapman could begin to see closing opportunities again -- he was slated to finish last Friday's game against the Cardinals before Holmes gave up the lead in the eighth inning -- and the continued struggles of the latter make that likelihood stronger. Boone implied that Holmes may have lost his grasp on the ninth-inning role following this Friday's loss, stating, "We'll see. I'm trying to get him in the best positions to be successful. Some nights it'll be the ninth, some nights it'll be having the full go with the pen. We'll keep working with him. Got to get him right and consistent." If Holmes is pulled from the role, Chapman is the most likely candidate to take over closing duties given his extensive history of success (he has 315 career saves) and his recent return to form (he's tossed eight consecutive scoreless innings, posting an 8:1 K:BB and allowing three hits over that stretch).

Chapman would have closed Friday's game against the Cardinals if Clay Holmes had held the one-run lead in the 8th inning, according to manager Aaron Boone, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

Holmes came on to pitch the eighth inning with a 3-2 lead and proceeded to give up two runs, denying Chapman a save opportunity in the ninth inning. Chapman has a 6.10 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 10.1 innings across 12 appearances since he returned to action July 2.

Chapman allowed three runs on two hits and one walk while retiring only one batter (via strikeout) Friday versus Baltimore.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman was brought in at a relatively stress-free point with the Yankees up 7-3 in the seventh inning. However, the veteran reliever allowed the Orioles to get right back into the contest, surrendering a single and a walk before serving up a three-run homer to Anthony Santander. Since returning to big-league action July 1, Chapman has given up at least one run in four of eight appearances and has posted an ugly 9.95 ERA and 1.74 WHIP over 6.1 innings. The strikeouts are still there -- he's fanned nine batters over that span -- but he's also issued seven walks and given up two home runs. Clay Holmes picked up his 17th save Friday and may have the full-time closer role locked up, but the Yankees would love to see Chapman figure things out given the loss of top setup man Michael King to a likely season-ending elbow fracture.

Chapman (0-3) took the loss against Boston on Sunday, allowing one run on one hit and two walks while striking out two over one inning.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman came on in the sixth inning with the game tied 6-6, and he allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base on a single and two walks. The veteran reliever bounced back to retire the next three hitters -- including two by strikeout -- but a Jeter Downs sacrifice fly allowed the go-ahead run to cross the plate, and New York was unable to score again in the contest. Chapman has allowed three runs and has walked five batters over three innings since returning from the IL on July 1. It seems unlikely that he'll regain the closer role until he gets back on track.

Chapman pitched in the seventh inning in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians and walked all three batters he faced. He was charged with two earned runs.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman, in his return from a bout with Achilles tendinitis, couldn't find the strike zone. He threw just seven of his 19 pitches for strikes. While Chapman didn't issue a walk during his minor-league rehab assignment, he was all over the place before hitting the IL, and until he starts showing some resemblance to his old self, it will be an easy call for manager Aaron Boone to keep Clay Holmes as the top option for saves.

Chapman is expected to pitch any time in the last three innings for now, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman wasn't at his best in the early part of the season, posting a 3.86 ERA and 15:10 K:BB in 14 innings. He was activated off the injured list Friday after missing nearly six weeks with an Achilles injury and returns to find Clay Holmes established in the closer role, having saved 14 games while posting a 0.49 ERA. Chapman could reclaim his job if he pitches well enough to earn it, but it looks like he won't be used exclusively in the closer role immediately upon his return.