Aroldis Chapman, Aaron Hicks Depart In New York's Win Over Toronto

In a game a team never wants players to have to depart early unless they have to.

Unfortunately for New York closer Aroldis Chapman and center fielder Aaron Hicks  did leave the game early on Saturday in New York's win over Toronto because of injuries.

Hicks sensed cramping in his left leg on a slide into second base and was replaced defensively for the fifth inning, while Chapman felt a jolt of pain in his left knee after striking out Randal Grichuck for the first out of the ninth inning. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aroldis-chapman-leaves-game-with-injury/c-284734660

"You can feel it a little bit when you walk around and stuff, but today was just a little different," Chapman said through an interpreter. "It was a completely different sensation -- more pain." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aroldis-chapman-leaves-game-with-injury/c-284734660

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that he believes Chapman is experiencing a recurrence of the left knee tendinitis that the flame-throwing closer has been dealing with since early May. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aroldis-chapman-leaves-game-with-injury/c-284734660

"I think the good thing about it is how well he's pitched with it all year," Boone said. "I don't think there's much that has changed with it. Obviously, it's something that we watch with him very closely and that he's constantly staying on top of." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aroldis-chapman-leaves-game-with-injury/c-284734660

Chapman was relieved by  Chasen Shreve who surrendered a solo homer to Aledmys Diaz before finishing off the win. Chapman had lobbied to stay in the game, but with a four-run lead, Boone told his closer that there was little reason to take chances. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aroldis-chapman-leaves-game-with-injury/c-284734660

"It was a little more discomfort today than what I usually have been feeling for a couple of weeks," Chapman said. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aroldis-chapman-leaves-game-with-injury/c-284734660

Hicks received treatment during the rest of the game. Brett Gardner  moved over to replace him in center field, with Clint Frazier --summond from Triple -A Scranton / Wilkies -Barreearlier in the day -- assuming duties in left field. "according to https://ww

"It cramped up," Hicks said. "I went back into the dugout and that's when Aaron said that we're not going to chance it. ... It didn't hurt or anything. Just one of those things where they didn't want to take a chance with it." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aroldis-chapman-leaves-game-with-injury/c-284734660

Boone said that no tests are scheduled for either player, though Hicks will likely be on the bench for Sunday's series finale. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aroldis-chapman-leaves-game-with-injury/c-284734660

"He's so important to us as that switch-hitter, the flexibility he gives us in our lineup," Boone said. "Hopefully, it is something where he's just down for a day and then available for the doubleheader [on Monday at Baltimore]." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aroldis-chapman-leaves-game-with-injury/c-284734660