Reds Pitcher Aroldis Chapman Wants to Close
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Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) — The Cincinnati Reds still don’t know whether they will use pitcher Aroldis Chapman as a starter or closer.
While Chapman might not know how he will be used this season, opening day is two weeks away and Chapman doesn’t like the uncertainty of his role with the team.
“I’m waiting to hear [the decision] so I can feel better, concentrate more,” Chapman said. “I don’t think [it’s a distraction] because when you go out there to pitch, you can’t think about that. But it still would be better to know what they’re going to do.”
“The truth is, if they were to make the decision, I would want to be the closer,” Chapman added. “But it’s not in my hands.”
As a closer, Chapman is electric, as he regularly throws over 100 MPH, but he’s never started a game at the Major League level.
In 2012, the 25-year-old Chapman saved 38 games and struck out 122 batters in just 71.2 innings pitched.
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