Reds going slow with Chapman despite his fast start

By foxsports
Published

Chapman will get at least a day off after going two innings and 35 pitches Wednesday and getting the win.

"He may not be available (today) either," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "It depends on how he feels."

Chapman is available for longer stints since he prepared as starter during the spring. But the Reds are being cautious with him.

"We treat him like any other reliever, but we've got a lot invested in the guy," Baker said. "Time, future and money. We're aware of that. We're always aware of that, with anybody.

"We know they're all not available."

Chapman has gone two innings in two of his three outings.

"He could go more from being stretched out in spring training," Baker said. "The more you stretch him out the more time you have to give him in between."

Chapman could end up starting at some point this year. But Baker sounds in no hurry.

"Think of how valuable he is where he is," Baker said. "We've got three victories. He's got two of them and a hold. That's not how you want to continue. But you've got to take these victories when you can."

NOTES, QUOTES

--2B Brandon Phillips (hamstring) could return to the lineup this weekend. "I'm guessing Saturday or Sunday," manager Dusty Baker said. "It's supposed to warm up."

--INF Wilson Valdez did not bunt Thursday after bunting for two hits Wednesday. "Anytime I feel comfortable, I'll try it and see," Valdez said.

--SS Zack Cozart failed to a hit Thursday. It was first time in the Reds' seven games that he didn't get a hit. He was the first Reds' rookie to record a hit in his first six games since Frankie Baumholtz in 1947.

--RHP Mat Latos went five innings and allowed two runs on five hits Thursday. "I thought I threw the ball well," Latos said said. "They took some borderline pitchers. I thought some calls could have gone the other way. There's no excuses. The walks hurt me. A couple of long at-bats hurt me."

--RHP Alfredo Simon took the loss in his first decision as a Red. He threw a wild pitch to allow Ryan Zimmerman to score from third in the 10th inning. "I was trying to keep the ball down," he said.

BY THE NUMBERS: 0 -- That's how many walks the Reds had off LHP Gio Gonzalez Thursday. He led the American League with 91 last year.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "He had a couple of high-pitch innings. He was nearly at 100 pitches when we took him out. We were hoping to get six or seven. Then we could piece it together. When you exit after five and we're already short ... it came back to bite us." -- Reds manager Dusty Baker on Mat Latos' five-inning outing.

ROSTER REPORT

MEDICAL WATCH:

--2B Brandon Phillips (left hamstring cramp) left the April 9 game. He is likely to miss at least one game.

--RHP Nick Masset (right shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26. He hopes to return as soon as he is eligible.

--RHP Jordan Smith (right elbow soreness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26.

--RHP Ryan Madson (Tommy John surgery in April 2012) went on the 60-day disabled list April 4. He is out for the season.

ROTATION:

RHP Johnny Cueto

RHP Mat Latos

RHP Brandon Arroyo

RHP Mike Leake

RHP Homer Bailey

BULLPEN:

LHP Sean Marshall (closer)

LHP Aroldis Chapman

LHP Bill Bray

RHP Logan Ondrusek

RHP Jose Arredondo

RHP Sam LeCure

RHP Alfredo Simon

CATCHERS:

Devin Mesoraco

Ryan Hanigan

INFIELDERS:

1B Joey Votto

2B Brandon Phillips

SS Zack Cozart

3B Scott Rolen

INF Miguel Cairo

INF Wilson Valdez

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Ryan Ludwick

CF Drew Stubbs

RF Jay Bruce

OF Chris Heisey

OF/INF Willie Harris