The Reds placed prized left-hander Aroldis Chapman on the 15-day disabled list last week with shoulder inflammation and, probably more to the point, a worsening control problem.
Chapman took a week off from throwing before beginning a minor league rehab assignment on Tuesday evening at Triple-A Louisville. He allowed no hits and needed just eight pitches to get through that one-inning outing. Unfortunately, things went a little differently on Thursday night in his second try.
According to the Louisville Bats’ official Twitter feed, Chapman allowed five hits and three runs in just two innings of relief work against the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate. He struck out five and touched 102 MPH at one point with his legendary fastball, but the Cuban-born fireballer obviously wasn’t fooling too many batters.
The Reds might simply be pleased that he’s been showing better command since his demotion -- or disabling, whatever you want to call it. The best case scenario has him returning to form by the end of June.
