Yankees’ Aroldis Chapman out at least until mid-September

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman went on the disabled list Wednesday with left knee tendinitis.

BALTIMORE— If the Yankees are fortunate, All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman will be off the disabled list and pitching for them in about three weeks.

His time off due to left knee tendinitis could be longer.

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Chapman was examined in New York on Friday, given a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection and told to return for further evaluation in two weeks.

If Chapman has improved by his next exam, which figures to be around Sept. 7, he could be ready to come off the disabled list by mid-September.

“We’re optimistic that he’ll return in an impact way this season at some point,” manager Aaron Boone said Friday before the Yankees began a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles. “I think in a lot of ways (the exam) went a little better than the doc thought.”

A mid-September return would give Chapman about two weeks to get himself into top form before the postseason. The Yankees likely will play in the American League Wild Card game the first week of October.

“I think there’s a real chance he’s back before (late September), but I think in two weeks we’ll see where we’re at,” Boone said. “This is not just two weeks of not doing anything. He’ll start I’m sure to play catch at some point later next week, but I think we’ll re-evaluate where we are from a timeframe in two weeks.”

Chapman had been pitching with a sore knee since mid-May before pulling himself out of a game last Tuesday in Miami after throwing six pitches trying to close out a 2-1, 12-inning win over the Marlins. He was placed on the 10-day DL the following day.

Despite his knee issue, Chapman has put up great numbers, as he’s 3-0 with a 2.11 ERA and 31 saves in 33 chances with 84 strikeouts in 47 innings over 50 outings.

At this point, the Yankees just want Chapman’s knee improving to the point that he can pitch through some pain for the remainder of the season. The pain worsened on Tuesday, and that’s why he’s on the DL. 

The Yankees have been told all along that a short DL stint likely won’t fix Chapman’s issue, as he’ll probably needs most or all of the offseason to rehab his way back to 100 percent.

For now, offseason surgery is not in the works.

“The offseason will benefit him from a rest and treatment kind of thing, but I have not heard anything about a surgical thing at this point,” Boone said.

Randy Miller may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.