Cincinnati Reds’ Aroldis Chapman inching towards his return to bullpen – MLB News
Cincinnati Reds' closer Aroldis Chapman is hoping to make an early return to the bullpen as he threw 40 fastballs of long toss on Friday, September 14. The young closer, who has had some resounding success, is now battling fatigue in his left arm.
That fatigue has led to him being sidelined. But Friday’s session seemed to have been good enough to pave his way back into the bullpen. "I feel a lot better," he said. "I think a few more days, I'll be good."
The Cincinnati Reds are comfortably occupying the top spot in the National League Central. However, much as winning the Division title seems likely, the playoffs will be an arduous challenge, something that the Reds want to grapple with effectively.
Chapman’s presence, therefore, will be of crucial importance, bolstering the Reds’ bullpen. The recent sidelining, nonetheless, is not something that Chapman resents. He attributes the fatigue to lack of exercise.
“There's a long season and sometimes you forget about continuing to do some exercises and you get fatigued," Chapman said.
Chapman last appeared on Monday, but could not continue the game for long as he was removed in the middle of the inning after he walked two batters.
The decision must have been the consequence of last Friday’s game against the Houston Astros wherein he gave up a three-run homer to Matt Dominguez, allowing no less than four hits. The Reds lost the game to the Astros.
That dealt a severe blow to the closer. Nonetheless, what frustrates the Reds' closer is the fact that the fatigue has descended at this point in time just when the playoffs are around the corner, causing massive trouble.
"I wish this would've happened earlier in the season, because this is the time of the season when we're on the final [stretch] of the season and I would like to be better," Chapman said.
As Chapman tossed 40 fastballs on Friday, he seemed to be all set to make perfect headway. With his anticipated and impending arrival, the Reds will be further emboldened, enabling them sufficient resources to overcome any rival.
Tags: