Aroldis Chapman blows wild save against Philadelphia
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (5:48 pm ET) Reds closer Aroldis Chapman blew his second save of the season in Sunday's loss to Philadelphia.
It looked like Chapman had everything under control after he picked off Cliff Lee, who was pinch hitting for Delmon Young -- yes, you read that right -- but back-to-back homers from Erik Kratz and Freddy Galvis -- yes, your read that right -- tied the game and then gave Philadelphia the victory. Chapman has already given up three home runs this season, one less than all of last year. His ERA rose to 3.32 as a result.
Aroldis Chapman blows first save opportunity
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/16/2013) Reds closer Aroldis Chapman blew his first save opportunity in nine chances when he allowed an inherited runner to score Thursday night against the Marlins. He would allow just one hit while recording both of his outs via strikeout and earn the win when the Reds scored three runs in the 10th.
Chapman has posted a 2.41 ERA this season while saving eight games and compiling an impressive 30 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings. Thursday's win was his third of the year.
Aroldis Chapman collects eighth save
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) Reds closer Aroldis Chapman notched his eighth save Friday night against the Brewers. Chapman came on in the ninth inning and was quickly able to retire the first two batters he faced.
He did give up a two-out single to Norichika Aoki, who would eventually come around to score after Chapman threw a pair of wild pitches. However, the left-hander was able to settle down and strike out Jean Segura swinging to end the game.
Chapman is 8 for 8 in save chances and racked up 23 strikeouts over 16 innings compared to six walks.
Aroldis Chapman rebounds from hiccup
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (5/4/2013) Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman (2-1) bounced back from his worst outing of the season and fired a scoreless ninth inning during Cincinnati's 6-4 win over the Cubs on Saturday. Chapman, who earned his seventh save, worked around a one-out walk by Alfonso Soriano one day after he gave up three runs in a non-save opportunity.
Aroldis Chapman makes it interesting
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (5/3/2013) Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman (2-1) gave up three runs and four hits before being pulled with two outs in the ninth inning during Cincinnati's 6-5 escape over the Cubs Friday. Chapman, who has recorded a save in each of his past three appearances, was replaced by J.J. Hoover for the final out as his ERA spilled over 2.00 for the first time this season (2.57).
The hard-throwing lefty allowed three straight singles to open the inning before collecting two quick outs, including one via strikeout. He walked two batters, including one to score a run, and left with the bases loaded.
It was just the fourth time in his career Chapman permitted more than three runs in an outing. Last season, he did not allow his fourth run of the season until June 13, but he's surrendered that total in 15 games this year.
Reds could have short-handed bullpen
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/30/2013) Reds manager Dusty Baker told MLB.com that a couple of his pitchers at the back end of the bullpen might not be available Tuesday against the Cardinals due to allergies.
One of them was Aroldis Chapman, who has worked two days in a row and earned back-to-back saves. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati's setup man, was another.
“Chapman looked like hell. I don’t think he’s available tonight,” Baker said. “I don’t know if [Jonathan] Broxton is available tonight. We may have to close with somebody else. He’s gone two days in a row and he threw 30 pitches the day before. I was a little apprehensive about using him last night. It’s not the innings sometimes, but the workload of that inning.”
Aroldis Chapman collects sixth save
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/29/2013) Reds closer Aroldis Chapman entered Monday's series opener against the Cardinals in the ninth inning with a one-run lead. The left-hander needed 13 pitches to retire the side in order and secure a 2-1 win.
Chapman lowered his ERA to 0.68 while collecting his sixth save.
Aroldis Chapman's ERA keeps getting lower
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/28/2013) Reds closer Aroldis Chapman finished off a 5-2 win Sunday against the Nationals for his fifth save. The left-hander issued a walk and struck out a batter in a scoreless ninth inning, lowering his ERA to 0.68.
Chapman has allowed one run in 12 1/3 innings, while striking out 21. He's issued just three walks.
Aroldis Chapman works around hit for fourth save
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (4/24/2013) Reds closer Aroldis Chapman worked around a hit to record his fourth save Wednesday against the Cubs.
Chapman lowered his ERA to 0.79 with the effort and has an absurd 20 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings. His WHIP sits at a sharp 0.62 despite the hit.
Aroldis Chapman mows down the side
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/22/2013) Reds closer Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in his inning of work on Monday night against the Cubs. He entered in the ninth with the game tied at 2-2 and needed 13 pitches to retire the side in order.
Chapman, who lowered his ERA to 0.87, has 19 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings pitched.
Aroldis Chapman seeing plenty of work
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman (2-1) worked a scoreless ninth inning to preserve a 2-2 all tie of a 3-2 win in 13 innings over Miami Saturday. Chapman rebounded after allowing his first run of the season in the series opener Friday and struck out two of the three batters he faced.
It was the third time in his past four appearances, the left-hander has faced the minimum number of batters in an inning. Chapman has made an appearance in 10 of the Reds' 18 games this season.
Aroldis Chapman finally touched up
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) Reds closer Aroldis Chapman surrendered his first run of the season in a 2-1 loss Friday night against the Marlins. Chapman gave up a solo home run to Justin Ruggiano in the ninth inning on a 94 mph fastball.
The left-hander hadn't allowed a run over his eight previous appearances, allowing three hits and striking out 13.
It was only the seventh homer Chapman has allowed during his four seasons in the majors.
"You get so used to him being perfect, but that happens a couple of times a year," manager Dusty Baker said. "It doesn't happen very often. That guy took a good pitch to get it to 3-1. He hit a high fastball, trying to catch up to it."
Aroldis Chapman earns win a day late
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/17/2013) Reds closer Aroldis Chapman retired the last three batters before the rain came on Tuesday night against the Phillies and was rewarded with the win when game resumed Wednesday. Jay Bruce hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning, propelling Cincinnati to a 2-0 win.
Chapman (2-0) has yet to allow a run through 7 1/3 innings pitched while striking out 13. He has also converted all three of his save chances.
No four-outs saves for Aroldis Chapman yet
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/16/2013) Reds manager Dusty Baker told MLB.com Tuesday that he does not plan to use closer Aroldis Chapman for four-out saves.
Baker had a chance to use the left-hander Monday night against the Phillies with two outs in the eighth. Instead he left starter Bronson Arroyo in and he surrendered a two-run homer to Chase Utley.
Cincinnati does not have a lefty option in the late innings with Sean Marshall injured. Manny Parra is their only other left-handed reliever.
“Parra, they’ve had good success off of Parra -- [Utley] and [Ryan] Howard. Real good success,” Baker said. “When do you warm [Chapman] up? Do you warm him up at the start of the eighth? That’s what you’d have to do to have him ready at the end of the eighth. It’s easy to have somebody loose, but you’re going to tire your bullpen out before they even get in the game. It’s easy afterwards.”
Chapman worked a perfect ninth inning to secure the win.
“I was thinking about that. I wish somebody would tell me before Bronson gives it up,” Baker said.
Aroldis Chapman gets back in save column
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/15/2013) Reds closer Aroldis Chapman earned his first save in over a week on Monday night against the Phillies. He entered in the ninth inning with a two-run lead and needed 14 pitches to retire the side in order.
Chapman, who struck out two, picked up his third save in the 4-2 win.
Reds hoping to avoid Aroldis Chapman Monday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/8/2013) Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, who has pitched on back-to-back days, is expected to have his workload lessen in the next few days. Chapman has converted his first two save opportunities and has not allowed a run through his first six appearances.
Manager Dusty Baker is hoping to avoid Chapman and Jonathan Broxton in Monday's series opener against the Cardinals.
"Broxton hasn't thrown as many pitches as Chapman," Baker said. "It would be nice to have one today, one tomorrow and both the next day. Then we have an off-day. A complete game would cure everything."
Aroldis Chapman gets second save
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (4/7/2013)Aroldis Chapman earned his second save for the Reds with a scoreless inning Sunday against Washington.
Chapman allowed a hit but struck out two. It was his first hit allowed of the season and has not given up a run. His strikeout was his seventh in four innings as he continues to be one of the nastiest closers (and pitchers in general) in the game.
Aroldis Chapman cruising early
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/6/2013) Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman struck out the side on just 12 pitches during the 10th inning in Cincinnati's 7-6 loss to Washington on Saturday. Making his fourth appearance of the season, Chapman fanned Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman and Chad Tracy all swinging to push his strikeout total to seven through four innings.
Aroldis Chapman secures first save
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/4/2013) Reds closer Aroldis Chapman worked a scoreless ninth inning Thursday against the Angels to record his first save of the season during a 5-4 win.
Chapman allowed a leadoff single to Mike Trout, but he retired the next three batters in order, which included striking out Josh Hamilton to end the game. Chapman (1-0) hasn't allowed a run in three appearances this season. He also has four strikeouts in three innings.
Aroldis Chapman picks up first win
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/3/2013) Reds closer Aroldis Chapman entered Wednesday's contest against the Angels in the ninth inning with the score tied at 4-4. He worked a scoreless frame as he was able to strand a two-out walk.
The left-hander was rewarded with his first win of the season when Joey Votto hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth.
Chapman has struck out three over his first two appearances.
Aroldis Chapman Ks two over scoreless frame
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/1/2013) Reds closer Aroldis Chapman made his first appearance of 2013 in Monday's season opener against the Angels.
Chapman came on in the ninth inning with the game tied at 1-1 and worked a scoreless frame. The left-hander struck out two and walked one while not surrendering a hit.
Chapman happy with return to the 'pen
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (3/22/2013) The Reds finally put the Aroldis Chapman question to bed Friday, announcing that he would return to the closer's role he was so effective in last season. Chapman has been lobbying to return to the bullpen, rather than be a member of the rotation as the team had planned. The 22-year-old did not close the door on possibly returning to the rotation in future years, despite the move.
“I think I’m still young and there are still a lot of years ahead in my career where I can be a starter again,” Chapman told MLB.com Friday. “I’m happy to be a closer now. I’m here in Cincinnati. Cincinnati is the team that I want and I will do what they want. If they want me to be a closer, I’m happy to be a closer.”
Chapman appeared in Friday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers in relief, tossing a scoreless sixth inning, with one strikeout and a hit allowed. His velocity was reportedly in the upper 90's where he usually sat as a reliever, after some concerns during his starting opportunities.
Chapman was borderline unhittable as a closer last season, posting a 1.51 ERA and 38 saves in 71 2/3 innings, with 122 strikeouts.
Aroldis Chapman, Mike Leake move up the rankings
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/22/2013) With the Reds confirming earlier reports that Aroldis Chapman would close instead start in 2013, I actually moved the hard-throwing lefty up a spot in my Rotisserie rankings, slotting him between Craig Kimbrel and Kris Medlen at relief pitcher.
Maybe his ultimate ceiling would be higher as a starter, but he was a risky Fantasy option in the role. He hasn't gotten much more starting experience since coming over from Cuba, and given his past control issues and the caution the Reds likely would have exercised with him, a relatively high WHIP and a bunch of early hooks would have probably been in his future.
As a closer, we know exactly what to expect from Chapman: Kimbrel, basically.
Mike Leake, who will likely fill the spot vacated by Chapman, moves up the rankings as well, but his continued hittability at the major-league level keeps him in about the Ricky Nolasco range.
It's official: Aroldis Chapman will be closer
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/22/2013) After weeks of skirting the issue, the Reds officially confirmed pitcher Aroldis Chapman will serve as the team's closer for the upcoming season, CBSSports.com Senior Baseball Columnist Scott Miller reports. Since the end of last year, Chapman was being considered for the starting rotation and prepared for a possible move during spring training.
However, the team will keep the hard-throwing left-hander in the bullpen after he collected 38 saves with an astonishing 122 strikeouts in 68 games last season. Mike Leake is expected to serve as the fifth starter for Cincinnati.
General manager Walt Jocketty said Friday there was no debate leading up to the decision and using Chapman in the ninth inning gives the Reds the best chance to win now.
Reds GM: No decision made on Aroldis Chapman's role
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (3/21/2013) Reds GM Walt Jocketty said there’s been no decision made concerning Aroldis Chapman’s role this year. Jocketty’s statement disputes an earlier report, which suggested the team would announce Chapman would move to the bullpen.
Chapman was one of the best relievers in baseball last season but has been working as a starter during the spring. He expressed interest in remaining in the closer role last week.
Keep an eye on the situation moving forward, as his role will impact his value this season.
by Al Melchior | Data Analyst (3/21/2013) On Monday, I wrote in this space that a move to the Reds' bullpen would be nothing but good news for Aroldis Chapman's Fantasy owners. That move may be imminent, according to a report from the Cincinnati Enquirer, though the team told MLB.com that no decision has been made regarding Chapman's role. Once we can safely assume that he will be the closer, it will be time to start pursuing Chapman earlier in drafts.
He will be roughly on par with Craig Kimbrel in terms of closer value, and Kimbrel is being drafted in the fourth round on average in 12-team mixed leagues.
I would rather have Kimbrel, and Round 4 is just a little early for my tastes, but Round 5 is not too early to pursue either closer.
Aroldis Chapman headed to the bullpen?
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (3/21/2013) The Reds are expected to announce Thursday that pitcher Aroldis Chapman will begin the season as the team’s closer, according to Paul Daugherty of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Chapman, 25, has been preparing as a starter this spring but said his preference was to remain in the bullpen last week. Last season, Chapman had a 1.51 ERA and 1.55 FIP in 71 2/3 relief innings. He had 38 saves.
Aroldis Chapman on collision course with closing
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/18/2013) I think we all see where this Aroldis Chapman stuff is going.
Between Dusty Baker's recent implication that it's his decision to make (as opposed to the front office's) and Chapman's own stated preference for closing, all that talk of the flamethrowing lefty moving to the Reds' starting rotation is on the verge of being nothing more than hot air. That's my guess, anyway.
As my colleague Al Melchior already pointed out, that wouldn't be such a bad thing for Chapman's Fantasy value, but it would be a disaster for Jonathan Broxton's. Few setup men are worth owning in Fantasy, and Broxton's ratios suggest he wouldn't be one of those few.
Of course, those ratios had me labeling Broxton a bust candidate even before this Chapman talk started. He's clearly just a $1 player now.
Let's hope Aroldis Chapman gets his way
by Al Melchior | Data Analyst (3/18/2013) This weekend, Aroldis Chapman disclosed that he would prefer to close rather than start for the Reds. Manager Dusty Baker told ESPN.com, "We are going to do what's best for the team and for him. But it makes it a lot easier when you get the person's blessing." It certainly sounds like the door is more than just cracked open for Chapman to return to the bullpen.
If Chapman comes anywhere near last season's numbers, he should have far more value as a closer than as a starter, especially if he is limited to 160 innings or so. It's not a bad thing to own Chapman in any Fantasy scenario, but if the Reds pull the trigger on returning him to the closer's role, it's time to move him up in your rankings, at least to the earlier portion of the middle rounds.
Aroldis Chapman wants to close
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (3/16/2013) Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman made his fourth appearance of the Cactus League on Saturday against the Giants. He allowed a run on two hits over four innings. The left-hander also walked three and struck out two.
Chapman, who has a 2.25 ERA this spring, is competing for the fifth spot in the rotation but said after the game that he'd prefer returning to the role he had last season.
"I would like to be a closer, but that's not in my hands," Chapman said.
Aroldis Chapman starting remains likely scenario
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/15/2013) Dusty Baker's comments Wednesday -- essentially, that the Reds' fifth-starter competition is an actual competition, and not Aroldis Chapman's job to lose -- came as a bit of a surprise to many of us.
It seemed like it was all but assured that Chapman would be the team's fifth starter this season, with Mike Leake going to the bullpen and Jonathan Broxton closing. But now, there's some doubt, with this alternate universe that has Chapman closing, Leake starting and Broxton bumped to middle relief. The good news is that Chapman as a closer will still have a good value. And Leake, who was drafted just a few spots behind Stephen Strasburg, has more skill than a typical starter-who's-been-bumped-to-the-bullpen.
But Chapman seems like he would be happiest as a starter, and the team invested in Broxton to close. Leake makes stellar rotation insurance (or even attractive trade bait, seeing as super-prospect Tony Cingrani could slide into the rotation if an injury occurs), so the idea that Chapman will start seems the most likely way for this to play out.
Chapman will be solid no matter where he lands, but exercise a wee bit of caution with Broxton, who stands to lose the most if this unlikely scenario comes to fruition.
Chapman decision looming
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/13/2013) The Cincinnati Enquirer reports Reds manager Dusty Baker said he's nearing a decision about the role pitcher Aroldis Chapman will have when the season begins. “I’d like to decide soon and get my team together,” Baker said. “I don’t like having guys in the middle. That’s a bad situation when you’re in the middle of anything. An unknown. Then everybody else is in an unknown situation. That’s unfair to him or us -- the situation he’s been put in. He was in that same situation last year. I’d like to make a decision in the next week or so, so I can get my team together. The decision is not only mine, it’s ours. But I got my opinion.” Mike Leake is battling Chapman for the final spot in the team's rotation.
Chapman serves up homer
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/5/2013) Cincinnati rotation candidate Aroldis Chapman followed Mike Leake to the mound on Tuesday during a Cactus League game against the Angels. The flame-throwing Chapman pitched two innings and surrendered a run on a Howard Kendrick solo home run. Otherwise, Chapman allowed three hits and walked a batter with one strikeout. His ERA on the Cactus League season is now at 2.25. He's allowed just the one run over four innings with two Ks.
Chapman solid in first start
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (2/28/2013) Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman took his first step towards a transition to the starting rotation Thursday, in a split-squad game with the Rockies. Chapman pitched well in his start, throwing eight pitches over two innings of work, with one strikeout. Chapman did not allow a baserunner across his two innings of work, and he told reporters that he approached the outing with the same mindset he did as a reliever. "No. Nothing different," said Chapman through a translator. "I tried to do things as before (as a reliever). Throw hard and look for spots." Chapman did say that he has prepared for the season differently, putting more focus on his non-baseball exercise to increase his fitness level. "I'm preparing a little different," said Chapman. "As starter you got to be out there long, so I am doing more running and lifting."
Reds tight-lipped on Chapman
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/16/2013) With the first week of spring training nearing a conclusion, the Reds have yet to reveal their plan for throwing pitcher Aroldis Chapman. And the long-awaited answer might not be upcoming as the team has provided little insight on the expectations for the hard-throwing left-hander. Atop the list of questions: if he opens the season as a starter, how many innings will he pitch? "There is a pretty good understanding of what will be necessary to keep his innings at an area that we’re comfortable with, should he be a starter throughout the course of the season," pitching coach Bryan Price told MLB.com on Saturday. "That being said, I think if I’ve learned anything, I’ve learned it’s better to keep that stuff to ourselves. You just set the table for a little too much speculation."
Reds figuring out plan for Chapman
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (1/9/2013) Though the Reds have yet to commit to moving left-hander Aroldis Chapman to the starting rotation in 2013, the expectation that they will has given the coaching staff plenty of new variables to consider, according to MLB.com. "I think everyone will want to know the plan and a solid, hard number for innings," pitching coach Bryan Price said. "It will be a debatable issue. Whatever we choose to do, there's always going to be an opposing side that feels we could do things better. We have to be satisfied with our choices, because our intent will be to get the most out of Aroldis without putting him in a high-risk position." Price hinted that the Chapman likely would have an innings limit of some sort, though. "I think regardless of where people stand on the question, I think the days of hiking a pitcher's innings number by 50 or 60 or 80 innings in today's standards would be considered irresponsible," Price said. "We're going to be very conscientious of that."
