It was the top of the eighth inning on Sunday, July 27. The Red Sox were holding a 4-3 edge over the Dodgers. Then, Manager Alex Cora had a discussion with his All-Star closer, Aroldis Chapman, to shut the door. Chapman’s fastball, which has an average speed of 98.7 mph this year, reached only 95.8. He walked the first two batters, Miguel Rojas and Mookie Betts, and even violated the pitch clock. After flying out Shohei Ohtani, Chapman was seen limping. Cora quickly pulled him after just 11 pitches.
Chapman met with reporters after the game and allayed the fears through team interpreter Manny Alou. “Just a little spasm that I felt yesterday,” Chapman explained calmly. “And yeah, just felt a little uncomfortable today, but nothing big.” He said he wanted to continue to pitch, but understood the manager’s cautious decision.
Red Sox nation, take a sigh of relief. Aroldis Chapman on being taken out of the game:
“Just a spasm that should be gone in a couple days.” pic.twitter.com/Ra4AHkcOi2
— NESN (@NESN) July 27, 2025
Asked when he might be back, Chapman was optimistic. “I just hope that in the next couple days, I’ll be able to get back out there.” He has almost no doubt that he won’t hit the injured list. “Yeah, no, thankfully, I’m very healthy,” he added. “Just a spasm that… should be gone in a couple of days.”
Manager Alex Cora, too, spoke on a similar note of confidence, telling reporters the injury was to a “tight back,” which “should be OK.”
With Chapman unavailable, the game was in the hands of another hard-throwing right-hander, Jordan Hicks. Hicks threw 1.2 scoreless innings with a walk and a strikeout to pick up the win. It was a reward for a heroic effort that resulted in a 4-3 victory, as the Red Sox had taken a lead by recording an RBI triple from rookie Roman Anthony and a two-run go-ahead homer off of Alex Bregman in the fifth.
Still, losing “the Cuban Missile” for any length of time would be a big blow for the team. Chapman, 37, is enjoying a career renaissance. His 1.30 ERA and 0.82 WHIP rank near the top of the league. He’s racked up 18 saves and 61 strikeouts in 41.2 innings. His strikeout-per-9 rate (13.18) is just spectacular. The night before, he had demonstrated it, striking out Mookie Betts to finish off a win against the Dodgers.
So, this injury scare, though minor, pulls back the curtain on a sensitive truth for the Red Sox.
Red Sox’s playoff push on a knife-edge
If Chapman were to be sidelined for a lengthy period, the bullpen’s foundation would be severely tested. Jordan Hicks, who saved Sunday’s game after replacing Chapman on the mound, would likely take over closing duties.
Hicks throws more than 100 miles per hour, but has been unreliable and inconsistent with a high 5.98 ERA. That would push middle relievers such as Garrett Whitlock (3.10 ERA with 11.49 strikeouts per nine) and Justin Wilson (2.18 ERA) into more stress-filled situations, compromising the bridge to the ninth inning. They would also have to depend more on arms such as Greg Weissert (3.02 ERA) and Brennan Bernardino (3.14 ERA).
Chapman’s situation only magnifies the team’s brutal injury luck. The Red Sox actually have a lengthy IL right now, and many key contributors are on it. The starters Tanner Houck and Patrick Sandoval are probably done for the season. First baseman Triston Casas is recovering from major knee surgery. Important setup relievers Liam Hendriks and Justin Slaten are on the 60-day IL, decimating bullpen depth. Top prospect Marcelo Mayer also just landed on the IL, further depleting the lineup.
This is not just a team playing against opponents; they’re fighting against their own fate.
Boston finds itself in a precarious spot. At 56-50, they are very much in the American League Wild Card picture. But their success is also grounded in something that feels dangerously tender. The Red Sox may have gotten lucky with Chapman’s back, but that warning shot has been taken. Their season hinges on the health of key remaining stars and the resilience of a roster pushed to its breaking point.
Can they hold on for a place in October? What do you think? Tell us in the comments.
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