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Aroldis Chapman 'waiting like everybody else' on MLB verdict

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TAMPA — The waiting game continues for Aroldis Chapman, but that’s not stopping the reliever from getting ready for the season.

While Major League Baseball considers a possible suspension for Chapman stemming from domestic violence allegations in October, the powerful lefty was on the mound at Steinbrenner Field Monday for his first live batting practice session of the spring.

“I’m just waiting like everybody else,” Chapman said through team translator Marlon Abreu. “Nothing to add to it.”

Chapman’s blazing fastball drew plenty of spectators on the main field, but it remains to be seen whether the closer will be in uniform when the season opens in the Bronx on April 4.

“We knew when we acquired him that there would be something that we’re dealing with,” general manager Brian Cashman said. “It was, what level of something? We’ve gone through the criminal phase, which that side of it wasn’t pursued. Now it’s obviously in the hands of the Commissioner and we’ll do what’s best for our sport. We’ve got a lot of trust there. We’ll wait and support whatever his decision will be.

“Whatever it’s going to be, it’s going to be.”

Most in the industry expect Commissioner Rob Manfred to tag Chapman with a suspension of roughly 20 games, though some believe Manfred could try to make a statement with a longer ban. Chapman has said he plans to appeal any discipline, though he didn’t speak with MLBPA executive director Tony Clark about the issue when the union head was at the ballpark Sunday.

Manager Joe Girardi reiterated his support for Chapman, who was acquired for four minor-leaguers in late December.

“It’s a sensitive issue — as well as it should be a sensitive issue,” Girardi said. “The thing that I’ve said is, as a manager, I have a responsibility to them as players and people, and to lend whatever hand I can into making them better at both. That’s what I’ll do.”

The two haven’t spent much time together — Girardi has 67 players in camp to keep track of — but the manager said he hasn’t noticed the controversy taking a toll on Chapman to this point. “He seems to be the same guy that he’s been every day in the clubhouse,” Girardi said. “Obviously during the course of a season, you’ll see guys a lot more than you do in spring training because they’re all over the place, but I haven’t seen anything different.

“He seems to fit in very well into our clubhouse. I think our guys accept him, want to be there for him, just like they would anyone else.”

Back on Feb. 19, Manfred hinted that decisions on two of the three players being investigated for domestic violence allegations — Jose Reyes of the Rockies and Yasiel Puig of the Dodgers are the other two — would be coming within a few days.

Last Tuesday, MLB announced that Reyes — who is set to stand trial in Hawaii on April 4 — had been placed on paid leave pending the completion of criminal

proceedings. As for Chapman and Puig, no decisions have been announced by the league.

“I didn’t know how long it would take,” Girardi said of MLB’s ruling. “I really didn’t have a date when I thought, ‘It will be done by this date.’ The only date that was in my mind that I thought we’d know whether he was suspended or not suspended was Opening Day.”

The four minor-leaguers charged with the unenviable task of standing in against Chapman on Monday didn’t have much success during the southpaw’s 25-pitch session.

“Physically, I felt awesome out there,” Chapman said. “It’s the first time I’ve faced live hitters since last season, but I feel great.” 

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