Two Major League Baseball closers test positive for coronavirus

Aroldis Chapman (Keith Allison, Wikimedia Commons)

Two Major League Baseball closers have tested positive for coronavirus. They are Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen of Willemstad, Curacao, and  New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman of Holguin, Cuba. Jansen has now returned to the Dodgers camp, and no longer has the virus. Meanwhile, Chapman is still recovering and will not be with the Bronx Bombers anytime soon.

Chapman and Jansen are two of the most reliable and dependable closers in Major League Baseball. Both are entering their 11th season in the big leagues. Chapman is starting his fifth season with the Yankees. He previously played six seasons in Cincinnati, and a half-season with the Chicago Cubs, the team he won a World Series with, in 2016. Jansen meanwhile has spent the last decade with Los Angeles.

In 2019, Chapman pitched in 60 games and had a record of three wins, two losses, 37 saves, and an earned run average of 2.21. In 57 innings pitched, he gave up 38 hits, 25 walks, and 14 earned runs. Chapman also had 86 strikeouts, and a WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) of 1.11.

Jansen pitched in 62 games and had a record of five wins, three losses, 33 saves, and an earned run average of 3.71. In 63 innings pitched, he gave up 26 earned runs, 51 hits, and 16 walks. Jansen also had 80 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.06.

Due to the fact Jansen has recovered from coronavirus, there is a chance he could be part of the Dodgers lineup when they begin their season against the San Francisco Giants on July 24. The Yankees meanwhile will probably have setup man Zack Britton, who has four years of experience as the Baltimore Orioles’ closer, as their top relief man until Chapman is ready to go.