Yankees Rumors: Aroldis Chapman's 3-Game Suspension Appeal Pushed to 2021

The appeal hearing for New York Yankees pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who was served a three-game ban for throwing over the head of Tampa Bay Rays infielder Mike Brosseau on Sept. 1, has been pushed to next year, per MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

Heyman reported that "an issue involving availability of witnesses" resulted in the delay.

Chapman struck out Brosseau to close a 5-3 victory but not until after he sent a 101-mph fastball toward the pinch-hitter's head, causing the benches to clear after the game was officially over.

According to Pete Caldera of NorthJersey.com, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that a hearing for Chapman's appeal was held via Zoom but "certain people weren't invited," and another hearing may be necessary.

"I think it was a little harsh and that's the reason why I'm going to appeal the decision," Chapman said Sept. 2, per The Athletic's Lindsey Adler. 

Tensions between the top two teams in the American League East had been elevated since the first inning, when Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka hit Joey Wendle. After the game, Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash closed his press conference by asking for accountability. 

''It's absolutely ridiculous," he told reporters. "It was mishandled by the Yankees. Certainly the pitcher on the mound. It was mishandled by the umpires. Somebody has to be accountable. The last thing I'll say on it is I got a whole damn stable full of guys that throw 98 mph. Period.''

Cash was suspended for his postgame comments, matching the one-game suspension handed to Boone. Both managers served their suspensions Sept. 2 in the final game of their series.

There are seven games remaining for the Yankees in the regular season—a four-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays before the team closes out at home by hosting the Miami Marlins. At 31-22, they are 3.5 games behind the first-place Rays (35-19). New York has already clinched a berth in the expanded postseason.