Yankees may benefit from Aroldis Chapman witness issue

Aaron Boone said he hasn’t received official word that Aroldis Chapman’s appeal of a three-game suspension will bleed into next year but said Monday there is a possibility that will happen.

“Sounds like a chance of that it will go into next year,’’ Boone said prior to the first of four games against the Blue Jays at Sahlen Field in Buffalo. “But then again I haven’t been told anything officially. I am treating it that he is with us and if something comes up between now and then we will adjust, but I am planning on him being with us.’’

Jon Heyman reported Monday the delay is due to an issue involving the availability of witnesses.

Since the Twins and Yankees are competing against each other for the No. 4 seed in the first round of the playoffs in which the higher seed will host all the games of the best-of-three series, the Twins can’t be pleased the Yankees won’t have to play a few of their final seven games without their closer.

Chapman received a three-game suspension shortly after buzzing the Rays’ Mike Brosseau’s head with a 101 mph fastball on Sept. 1 at Yankee Stadium, a pitch that led to dugouts emptying but no fights. Chapman believed the suspension was harsh and appealed it.

“I feel great, feel like he is in a good place and feel like he has been throwing the ball well,’’ Boone said when asked about the likelihood of having Chapman for the remainder of the regular season. “Really pleased where he is at in this point of the season and looking forward to him playing a huge role hopefully this final week and into October.’’

Asked if he knew the reason for the delay in the appeal being heard, Boone said he has formulated an idea based on what he has heard.

“But it’s more me hearing things and speculating and I would rather not do that,’’ Boone said.

Domingo German might be in Tampa working out but that isn’t to get ready for a possible postseason roster spot.

German is serving an 81-game ban for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy last season.

Boone said there is no chance German would figure in the Yankees’ postseason plans.

“No, because he hasn’t been able to throw with us. To be able to ramp him up and put him in this kind of situation I don’t think is really fair to anyone,’’ Boone said of the starter who hasn’t pitched since the middle of last September. “We look forward to Domingo being a really significant part of the team again heading into next year.’’

Yankees didn’t have a starter listed for Thursday night’s game against the Blue Jays but Boone said it probably would be Jordan Montgomery.

Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu was named AL Player of the Week on Monday. It is the second time in LeMahieu’s career he has won the award. The previous time was July 1, 2019. He is the second Yankee this season to win the award. Aaron Judge won it on Aug. 3.

In six games LeMahieu batted .423 with four homers and 10 RBIs. From Tuesday to Thursday, LeMahieu homered in three straight games and hit two on Wednesday.

“Obviously a cool honor,’’ said LeMahieu, who led the majors with a .361 average entering Monday night’s action.

Bernie Williams is the last Yankee to win a batting title in 1998. Should LeMahieu win the AL title he would be only the second player in history to win batting titles in both leagues. Hall of Famer Ed Delahanty is the other.