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Aroldis Chapman tests positive for COVID-19

The Yankees will be without their all-star closer for the foreseeable future, as Aaron Boone announced on Saturday that Aroldis Chapman has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Boone added that Zack Britton seems like a “natural guy” to insert into the closer role. Britton has 145 career saves, and finished fourth in the AL Cy Young Award voting in 2016 when he saved a league leading 47 games and pitched to a minuscule 0.54 ERA. However, this is a blow to the depth in the bullpen — one of the Yankees’ biggest strengths.

It will be interesting, and stressful, to see what happens next with the rest of the team, as Chapman was in camp over the past week.

Jack Curry said the team immediately launched a contact tracing investigation upon hearing of Chapman’s positive test.

The criteria for when a “covered individual” who tests positive can return to their organization is below. A “covered individual” is a player, coach or umpire, as well as staffers such as clubhouse attendants.

Chapman now joins DJ LeMahieu and Luis Cessa as the other Yankees who have tested positive for the coronavirus.