If we’ve said it once we’ve said it a million times—getting a tattoo is serious business. We don’t mean the subject matter of the tattoo—go ahead and get that portrait of Betty White doing a keg stand, king—as much as we do the process of getting that ink. Getting stabbed by a bunch of needles a couple of thousand times is essentially a medical procedure, and as such should be treated with the utmost gravity. We’ve written articles and made videos all about this. Perhaps somebody should have made sure Aroldis Chapman got the memo.  

The controversial New York Yankee reliever hit the Injured List this week after getting what was deemed by manager Aaron Boone to be a “pretty bad infection” stemming from a recent tattoo, according to ESPN. It’s been a rocky season for Chapman. After being the team’s closer for the last handful of years, he lost the job due to a series of erratic performances. This will also mark the second time Chapman has hit the IL this season. 

Now, we don’t want to make too many assumptions about how Chapman’s tattoo got infected… but this is so easily avoidable. For starters, Chapman is making $16 million per season, he shouldn’t be going to some kitchen magician who can’t even spell the words “bloodborne pathogens.” Secondly, an athlete who has worked decades making sure their body is in top physical condition should be able to handle the very simple tenets of tattoo aftercare. Preventing a tattoo from getting infected does take a little work, but it’s not difficult by any means. And lastly, while getting a tattoo is far from an invasive procedure, if you’re a world-class athlete who is trying to push towards an extensive playoff run hopefully culminating in a World Series victory, maybe, just maybe you should wait until the offseason to get inked. 

Judging by the reaction from Yankee fans on Twitter, it looks like this will be the final nail in the coffin for Chapman’s tenure in pinstripes. 

Aroldis Chapman on the IL for a leg infection from getting a fucking tattoo, just can’t make it up with this guy

— Addison (@YankeeWRLD) August 27, 2022

Aroldis Chapman’s tattoo artist just saved the season. Get this man season tickets and a world series ring.

— Hoodie Maybin (@HoodieMaybin) August 27, 2022

I can’t wait for the day Aroldis Chapman is an ex-Yankee. That is one of the dumbest injuries I’ve ever read about in my life. He didn’t get any Aquaphor? Didn’t use some soap and water? Went to some dirty tattoo spot?

— Randy Wilkins (@pamsson) August 28, 2022

There’s a solid chance that we have seen the last of Aroldis Chapman in pinstripes. I cannot say I’m too shaken up by this news

— gabe (@PlayoffTanaka_) August 27, 2022