Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora made an unexpected trip to the mound to check on closer Aroldis Chapman midway through the ninth inning of Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves. The visit came during the team’s 3-1 victory at Truist Park, as the Red Sox sought to secure the final outs of the contest. This Aroldis Chapman Red Sox mound visit update revealed concern over Chapman’s condition as the game reached a critical stage.
Signs of Discomfort Prompt Cora’s Mound Visit
Chapman started the inning by getting ahead on Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies with an 0-1 count before inducing a grounder to shortstop for the first out. However, when Sean Murphy stepped up and hit a long foul ball down the left field line, Chapman’s agitated reaction caught the attention of Boston’s dugout. Cora immediately called for a timeout and, accompanied by a team trainer, approached Chapman for a brief conversation on the mound.
“I saw him move his shoulder, kind of like stretching it out,”
Cora said, according to NESN.
So I noticed it and we went out there. I asked him and he’s like, ‘I didn’t warm up well,’ which is ironic. He’s probably the hottest arm we have, but the stuff didn’t tell us too much.
—Alex Cora, Boston Red Sox Manager
Chapman Recovers to Close Out the Game Successfully
Following the mound visit, Chapman’s performance remained strong. He threw a 99 MPH sinker and quickly regained command, walking Murphy but then inducing a fly out from Eli White to right field. Chapman finished by striking out Michael Harris II on three pitches, securing his ninth save of the season. The 37-year-old right-hander needed just 16 pitches to shut down the Braves and help wrap up the series win for the Red Sox, who improved to 29-32 to close their six-game road trip.
Chapman’s Impact on Red Sox Season Underlines Contract Value
Since signing a one-year deal in the offseason, Chapman has delivered exactly what the Red Sox hoped for when chief baseball officer Craig Breslow brought him to Boston. The seven-time All-Star sports a 1.88 ERA and has converted nine of 10 save chances while recording 32 strikeouts in 24 innings. His uptick in dominance, reminiscent of his peak years with the Cincinnati Reds, has been crucial in several tight situations this year.
Avoiding Injury Adds to Boston’s Victory in Atlanta
Chapman escaping Sunday’s game without injury is a notable positive for Boston, where multiple players—including Alex Bregman, Triston Casas, Masataka Yoshida, and Justin Slaten—are sidelined or dealing with health issues. His durability preserves the stability of the Red Sox bullpen as they continue through the season.