Chapman Decision Looming for Reds
By Editorial Staff
Time is running out.
Cincinnati has a decision to make regarding Aroldis Chapman. Tuesday will mark the 30th day the flame thrower has been on his rehab assignment. At that point something will have to be done with Chapman.
Chapman has been healthy for weeks, but his ineffectiveness has made the Reds hesitant to recall the lefty. In his 8 appearances with the clubs’ Triple and Double-A squads, Chapman has allowed an even run per inning. While he’s been able to strike out 19 batters in only 12 innings, he’s also allowed 8 free passes.
The Cuban native was perfect through his first 12 appearances with Cincinnati this year before completely losing the plate. In his last 4 games, Chapman walked 9 batters and allowed 10 runs over only 1.1 innings of work. He was forced to leave 2 of those appearances before he was able to record an out.
Cincinnati placed Chapman on the 15 day DL with shoulder inflammation, hoping the injury was the cause of the lefty’s wildness. He’s still been struggling with command while rehabbing, but was able to turn in his best effort Saturday for the Reds’ Double-A affiliate. Chapman was able to punch out 3 over 2 perfect innings.
"“That’s what I asked him to do,” said Reds manager Dusty Baker. “He’s got to end strong and work (his) way back here. You pitch your way back. You just don’t have the name and come back. You pitch your way back here. That’s what I asked (trainer) Tomas (Vera) to have him do. Now, we’ll see.”"
The team will now have to decide if they want to add Chapman to the major league roster or option him back to the minors to further prove himself.
"“If he can be the Chapman before that wild streak, we could use him big time,” Baker said. “That would set us up big time.”"