It’s hard to believe Jacoby Ellsbury will remain a $153 million hood ornament for the remainder of the season with Joe Girardi’s decision to stay with neophyte Clint Frazier as long as he hits, but it leads to this question:

Could the manager shuffle assignments in the bullpen and move Aroldis Chapman out of the closer role?

Girardi proved by benching Ellsbury he isn’t wedded to money determining playing time. Now, with Chapman struggling in the first leg of a five-year deal worth $86 million, could Girardi replace Chapman with Dellin Betances or David Robertson?

In his last 11 appearances, Chapman has hardly been the dominant pitcher he was in 2016. He is 1-1 with four saves in six chances. Allowing 13 hits in nine innings isn’t good, but walking six and striking out 10 is borderline alarming and possibly an indication Chapman isn’t healthy.

His fastball reaches triple-digits, but a sign that something physically is wrong with a pitcher is lack of control and the six walks are a red flag. So, too, is Chapman’s inconsistent release point.

Recently, Chapman said he hasn’t been as sharp since returning from the disabled list. He was on the shelf May 14-June 18 with left rotator cuff inflammation. Sunday in Seattle that continued and he was bailed out by pinch-runner Taylor Motter being picked off first base in the ninth inning with no outs and the Mariners trailing, 6-4.

With Betances seemingly over a mini-slump and Robertson’s vast experience closing, the right-handers are certainly capable of getting the final three outs in a game. Betances went 6-for-6 in save chances while Chapman was on the shelf and Robertson went 13-for-14 with the White Sox.

A big question mark about such a move would be how much of a bruise to Chapman’s ego the demotion would bring.