MLB

Reds calling up LHP Chapman

Aroldis Chapman
The Reds will use Aroldis Chapman in their bullpen.
Share This Story

Updated Aug 31, 2010 12:31 AM ET
     
 

CINCINNATI (AP)

Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman is bringing his 105-mph fastball to the big leagues.

GROWING UP FAST

Rookies are sometimes called upon to perform like veterans. Check out these phenoms who pitched in the postseason.

The Reds plan to call up the hard-throwing lefty before their game Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers, trying to strengthen their bullpen for a playoff push in September and beyond.

By adding him in August, the Reds will make him eligible for the postseason — and unleash him on opposing hitters who have never seen him.

The NL Central leaders had a five-game edge over St. Louis heading into Tuesday's games.

''I think Dusty (Baker) will ease him into a role until he gets his feet on the ground, he gets accustomed to pitching up here,'' general manager Walt Jocketty said in an interview. ''Then depending on how he does, we'll see how the role develops.''

The 22-year-old Chapman signed a six-year, $30.25 million deal with Cincinnati in January. He was in the competition for the fifth starter's spot during spring training until he was sidelined by back spasms.

The Reds sent him to Triple-A Louisville to start the season. He got mixed results, throwing a lot of pitches to get through five innings. He went 5-5 with a 4.11 ERA in 13 starts.

Cincinnati has plenty of starters, but decided to see if Chapman could help the Reds out of the bullpen this season. They moved him into a relief role at Louisville last month and he was even better, going 4-1 with a 2.40 ERA in 26 relief appearances.

His fastball was clocked at 103 mph as a starter. Jocketty said he's been throwing consistently harder as a reliever, hitting 105 mph recently. He has struck out 49 in 30 relief innings.

''We felt with his stuff, if you shorten the game more he should be successful,'' Jocketty said. ''That's why we put him in there for now. We'll get him back to starting next year.''

Chapman has handled his many adjustments — new country, new culture, new baseball team — without much trouble. Jocketty thinks he's ready to handle the pressure of making his major league debut in the middle of a pennant race.

''That's why we left him down there a little bit longer, to get more experience in the bullpen,'' Jocketty said. ''And he's adapted really well to it. He actually enjoys it.''

Related Stories

Baseball Hot Streak


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

MLB Videos

MLB on FOX: LAA/SEA recap Posted: May 27, 2012
MLB on FOX's Victor Rojas and Eric Byrnes recap the Angels' 5-3 win over the Mar...

MLB on FOX: CHC/PIT recap Posted: May 27, 2012
MLB on FOX's Bob Brenly and Kenny Albert recap the Pirates' 3-2 win over the Cub...

MLB on FOX: Salty lifts Red Sox past Rays Posted: May 27, 2012
FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal talks with Jarrod Saltalamacchia after Boston's wi...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »
SimLeague Baseball - Simulation Baseball Game

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Cubs/browse/featuredproduct/250780/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_250000/FF_250780_xl.jpg&w=100 49.95 Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue
    Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Red_Sox/browse/featuredproduct/605356/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605356_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt
    New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Yankees/browse/featuredproduct/605557/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605557_xl.jpg&w=100 16.95 New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat
    Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Oakland_Athletics/browse/featuredproduct/606322/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_606000/ff_606322_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt
    Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Philadelphia_Phillies/browse/featuredproduct/626447/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_626000/ff_626447_xl.jpg&w=100 29.95 Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet
    New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Colorado_Rockies/browse/featuredproduct/644117/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_644000/ff_644117_xl.jpg&w=100 28.95 New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat
    Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Texas_Rangers/browse/featuredproduct/722692/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_722000/ff_722692_xl.jpg&w=100 69.95 Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch
    Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/723016/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_723000/ff_723016_xl.jpg&w=100 39.95 Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoo..
    Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Angels_of_Anaheim/browse/featuredproduct/777026/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_777000/ff_777026_xl.jpg&w=100 99.95 Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White
Microsoft© 2012 Microsoft