LAS VEGAS — Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman had comments go viral last month, telling the “ Swing Completo ” podcast that he would rather retire than play for the Yankees again.

But Chapman said Thursday that he made those comments a while back and they just resurfaced via social media . So they weren’t fueled by now being on the Red Sox’ side of the rivalry.

“That was like two years ago, the day that it was filmed,” Chapman said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez at a red carpet event before the MLB Awards show at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas . “But definitely happy to be here and definitely happy to play for Boston.”

Chapman is expected to win his second Mariano Rivera award tonight. It goes to the American League’s best reliever. He also earned the award in 2019 while p

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