New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone has responded to Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman, who said he would need an apology from general manager Brian Cashman before returning to the Bronx in a trade.
The Yankees left the eight-time All-Star off their playoff roster in 2022 for missing a mandatory practice before the ALDS.
"No," Boone said Friday when asked if he agrees that Chapman's owed an apology, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News.
"At the end of the day, he wasn't at the workout. I made the decision based on a lot of things and thought to leave him off because I thought that was the right thing to do for our club at the time.
"Chappy apologized and, really, it's water under the bridge for me. I love Chappy. I have a really good relationship with him to this day, but the ending of the 2022 season is what it was. He wasn't there, and I made the decision that I didn't think it was best for him to come back at that point."
Cashman accused Chapman of insubordination following the incident. However, the left-hander said he had permission not to be with the club.
"What happened, happened," Chapman said Thursday. "If something like (a trade to the Yankees) were to happen, I believe someone from this organization should apologize first."
The 38-year-old could be one of the best bullpen arms available before the Aug. 3 trade deadline with the Red Sox currently occupying the AL East basement.
