Bronson Arroyo not in favour of using sixth starter – MLB News
For the Cincinnati Reds, Thursday – Dec. 20, was a day to weigh up and consider the pros and cons of the using six starters in the rotation. For many, this comes as a fairly unusual and quite fascinating simultaneously.
The debate propped up after the reports surfaced that the Reds were considering using Aroldis Chapman in the rotation. After a successful season as a closer – wherein he had 38 saves out of 43 chances, the left-handed pitcher has attracted enormous attention.
The attention has culminated with contemplation over assigning him the role of starter. However, the fate of Mike Leake is to be decided too in the meanwhile since he remained No. 5 starter of the Reds this past season.
Although Leake was not assertive as was expected, he nonetheless remains a pitcher with experience and credentials. If Leake is not to be send to bullpen, the Reds can use him in the rotation.
That then would require six starters. But the starter Bronson Arroyo sees it as a problem. He is having a rather critical look at the whole issue.
"That causes a lot of problems. I don't think that would work at all," Arroyo said. "If you want to give Chapman a shot to start, I think you run him out there like anybody else. You know he obviously has a body that can handle a lot of torque. Run him out there and see what you get. Spring Training is not going to tell you what you'll get.”
Part of the seeming scepticism, like said before, is the fact that Chapman pitched 71 innings in 2012, and had to be shut down once due to the shoulder fatigue. It is this reason that Arroyo wants him to be tried in the Spring Training before making the final decision.
“Hitters are so far behind that he'll dominate them no matter what. Run him out there for all of April or maybe all of May or whatever, but you have to give him a nice shot to get comfortable in that role.”
Be that as it may, the decision will only be made after the Reds have weighed all their options.
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