Chapman (Achilles) was activated off the 15-day injured list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Chapman returns to the bullpen for the start of this weekend's series in Cleveland. Soon enough, the lefty figures to be pitching in late-game, high-leverage situations for the first-place Yankees.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he's "probably leaning more towards Friday" for activating Chapman (Achilles) from the 15-day injured list, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman was sharp Tuesday in what was likely his third and final rehab appearance in the minors. After making a couple outings with Double-A Somerset, he moved up to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and struck out two over a scoreless inning with the club. With Boone noting earlier in the week that Clay Holmes has proven worthy of the closer's role based on how he's performed while Chapman has been out, Laura Albanese of Newsday suggests that Chapman could be eased back into the Yankees' late-inning mix with some lower-leverage opportunities in his initial relief appearances upon coming off the IL.

Chapman (Achilles) will make a rehab appearance at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman's appearance in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday is expected to be his final rehab outing prior to him rejoining the major-league club. Over his first two Triple-A appearances, he struck out two in two scoreless innings. It's possible that the Yankees wait to activate the southpaw from the injured list Thursday if they don't want him to pitch on back-to-back days, but his return is imminent. Manager Aaron Boone said Monday that Clay Holmes has "certainly earned the closer's role," so it's possible that the Yankees ease Chapman back into action with some setup duties, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.

Chapman (Achilles) struck out one over a perfect inning Sunday for Double-A Somerset in his second minor-league rehab appearance.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman needed only 11 pitches to retire the side, with his fastball hovering in the 93-to-94 mile-per-hour range and topping out at 98, according to Greg Johnson of The Trentonian. After a pair of clean innings at Somerset over the weekend, Chapman looks like he'll be ready to rejoin the Yankees for their three-game home series with the Athletics that begins Monday. Since Chapman pitched Sunday and the Yankees may not want to make him available on back-to-back days just yet, the club could wait until Tuesday to activate him from the 15-day injured list. Manager Aaron Boone's previous comments have suggested that Chapman will recapture primary closing duties for the Yankees once reinstated, though Clay Holmes could also receive more usage in higher-leverage situations than he had prior to Chapman landing on the shelf.

Chapman (Achilles) completed one scoreless inning for Double-A Somerset on Friday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman threw eight pitches in the outing -- five of which were strikes -- and sat at 96-99 mph on his fastball, per Mike Ashmore of MyCJ Sports. This was his first rehab appearance since he went on the 15-day injured list May 24. According to Meredith Marakovits of YES Network, Chapman had no issues in the outing and will throw again Sunday. That could put him in line to rejoin the Yankees next week.

Chapman (Achilles) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman has been on the injured list for a month but has now been cleared to return to game action at the Double-A level. He'll likely be able to rejoin the Yankees following a brief rehab assignment, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him activated early next week. Once Chapman is deemed fully healthy, it's certainly possible that Clay Holmes maintains a share of the closer role, as Holmes has converted 10 of his last 11 save chances while posting a 0.59 ERA and 0.65 WHIP in 15.1 innings over his last 14 appearances.

Chapman (Achilles) will report to Double-A Somerset this weekend for a rehab assignment, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran left-hander was scheduled to throw live batting practice Tuesday, and it was apparently the final hurdle before being cleared for a minor-league rehab assignment. Chapman should only require a couple games in the minors to get back up to speed, so he could rejoin the Yankees' active roster early next week.

Chapman (Achilles) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Tuesday at the Yankees' spring complex in Tampa, Julia Kreuz of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman has said that he hopes to return from the 15-day injured list without requiring a minor-league rehab assignment beforehand, but the Yankees will see how he fares while facing hitters Tuesday prior to deciding on his next step. Before he was placed on the IL on May 24 with left Achilles tendinitis, Chapman was beginning to lose some security as the Yankees' closer after giving up at least one earned run in five consecutive outings. While Chapman has been out, Clay Holmes has been lights-out as the Yankees' closer, but manager Aaron Boone said last week that he prefers to deploy Holmes as a high-leverage reliever rather than a pure ninth-inning man once the club is back to full strength. If that ends up being the case, Chapman could re-emerge as the Yankees' main closer once activated, though Boone likely won't hesitate to feed Holmes some save chances every now and then.

Chapman (Achilles) threw fastballs and sliders off the Yankee Stadium mound Tuesday and will next face live hitters, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman hasn't pitched in a game for the Yankees in over three weeks, but he appears to be nearing a return. The veteran closer has said that he hopes to avoid a minor-league rehab assignment, though it's unclear if the organization has the same stance. Hoch reported Wednesday that manager Aaron Boone plans to use fill-in closer Clay Holmes in high-leverage situations -- not necessarily in the ninth inning -- upon Chapman's return, implying that the latter will still have the opportunity to save games upon his activation.

Chapman (Achilles) is expected to throw from a bullpen mound Tuesday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman pitched from a bullpen mound Saturday and is slated to do so again Tuesday. He is reportedly pain-free and hopeful that he can return to the Yankees without a minor-league rehab assignment. It's unclear how the club will deploy him after his activation given the dominance of current closer Clay Holmes (nine saves, 0.31 ERA, 29:3 K:BB) this season.