Cincinnati —
Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman is bringing his 105 mph fastball to the big leagues.
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.”
Sports
Reds calling up LHP Aroldis Chapman
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Masked man: Indiana State's Justin Gant (5) passes to a cutting player Saturday at Hulman Center.
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Indiana State connects on all 12 of its 3-point shots vs. SIU and sets three NCAA records in process
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Indiana State connects on all 12 of its 3-point shots vs. SIU and sets three NCAA records in process
- Local Interest
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Union season more fun with Talpas around
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Injury bug follows girls into postseason
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METRO ROUNDUP: ISU track athlete selected as MVC scholar-athlete of week
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South’s Lough to wrestle for state title
The day didn’t start in a promising fashion for Wabash Valley high school wrestlers at the Evansville Semistate in Ford Center on Saturday — but it got better as it went along.
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- NORTH VERMILLION SECTIONAL: Twenty years in the waiting
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South’s Lough to wrestle for state title
- College
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Masked man: Indiana State's Justin Gant (5) passes to a cutting player Saturday at Hulman Center.
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Indiana State connects on all 12 of its 3-point shots vs. SIU and sets three NCAA records in process
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ISU's Webb wins heptathlon
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Webb, a senior, established three more personal best efforts enroute to the overall victory as he ran 8.45 in the 60 meter hurdles and 2 minutes, 50.73 seconds in the 1,000 meters while also clearing 13-1 1/2 in the pole vault. Webb entered the second day of the event in the lead with 2,893 points after winning three of the four Friday events and setting personal bests in the long jump and shot put. -
Perfect game: ISU shoots NCAA record 12-for-12 from 3-point range in win over SIU
Indiana State set an NCAA record for 3-point percentage and consecutive 3-pointers made Saturday afternoon in Hulman Center, connecting on all 12 attempts during a 78-68 win over Southern Illinois.
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‘Frustrated’ Sycamores regroup to face Southern Illinois
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Thomas nets double-double as ISU women end losing streak
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Indiana State connects on all 12 of its 3-point shots vs. SIU and sets three NCAA records in process
- Sports Columns
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RAMBLIN' RECK: And now, on to the next beloved winter sport
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RAMBLIN' RECK: And now, on to the next beloved winter sport
- Pro Sports
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A New York Giants fan, center, leads a cheer as he and his fellow fans walk to Lucas Oil Stadium for Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Sunday.
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A day later, Giants basking in win
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A day later, Giants basking in win
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Heftier home schedule awaits Rex fans
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Heftier home schedule awaits Rex fans
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Colts welcome Manusky aboard as defensive coordinator
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Grigson and Pagano confirmed the hiring of several assistant coaches, including defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, Marwan Maalouf (special teams), Roy Anderson (safeties), Alfredo Roberts (tight ends) and Brandt Boyer (assistant special teams). - Mathis, Garcon at top of Colts’ wish list; Wayne isn’t
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Colts welcome Manusky aboard as defensive coordinator
- Auto Racing
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TRACKSIDE: Valley racing showed best, worst of times in 2011
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TRACKSIDE: Valley racing showed best, worst of times in 2011








