New York Yankees activate relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman

The New York Yankees have activated relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman from the injured list Friday after the left-hander missed more than a month with tendinitis in his left Achilles tendon.

Chapman hasn't pitched in the majors since May 22. He made two minor league rehab appearances at Double-A Somerset and one with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre.

The 34-year-old Chapman was 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA and nine saves in 17 games before he was placed on the IL on May 24.

Clay Holmes took over as the closer in Chapman's absence and is expected to continue in that role.The right-handed Holmes is 4-0 with a 0.49 ERA and 14 saves in 35 games this season.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone on Friday said Chapman could be used several ways-- that could be in the middle innings, late or to close.

"I want to get him in a really good place to where he's pitching somewhat regularly and especially here to start, whatever that situation is, whether it's low leverage or medium leverage or it could be high leverage because it's what the game dictates,'' Boone said. "He could be closing because the game dictates it.''

Although Chapman has been a closer for the majority of his career, Boone isn't worried about him being asked to do something new.

"I just want to get him in situations where he's going out there with the best opportunity to be successful and hopefully get into that good rhythm where he's pounding the strike zone and if we can do that we'll be in a good spot,'' Boone said.

Boone said he has spoken to Chapman and will keep the line of communication open.

"Yeah, we've talked and we'll continue to,'' Boone said. "He deserves that. He's earned that kind of respect, so as we go we'll try to be as forthright as we can heading into a game, where we see him.

"But for right now, it's just getting him back in and he's ready for anything.''

In another roster move, the Yankees placed Miguel Castro on the paternity list.Boone expects him to rejoin the team in Pittsburgh on Monday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.