Aroldis Chapman

Aroldis Chapman will take over the Reds’ closer job.

Reds manager Dusty Baker indicated Aroldis Chapman could replace Sean Marshall as the team’s closer.

“He’s been go good in the eighth,” Baker said. “Like I said, you?ve got to graduate to that position. Who knows maybe graduation time is here? We?re got to discuss it, talk about it. Matter of fact, we already talked to him about it.” It sounds like the question isn’t if Chapman will be the Reds’ closer, but when. The 24-year-old left-hander has yet to allow a run and has a dominant 32/5 K/BB ratio in 20 1/3 innings of relief this season.

Miami-based Spanish language newspaper Cafe Fuerte reports that Aroldis Chapman is being sued for $18 million due to his alleged involvement of illegal activity while working with the Cuban State Security apparatus.

According to the report, which was translated for HardballTalk at NBCSports.com by Nick Collias of MLB Trade Rumors, Chapman “helped organize the arrest, imprisonment, and torture of a Cuban-American by the name of Danilo Curbelo Garc?a.” It’s hard to get many details at this point, but we’re sure to hear more about this story before long.

Reds manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday that the plan is for Aroldis Chapman to start “someday.”

The inference being that it won’t be happening anytime soon. Chapman has posted a dominant 0.00 ERA and 32/5 K/BB ratio in 18 1/3 innings of relief this season and deserves a long-form look. But Baker is as stubborn as they get and seems to think he has the Cuban left-hander pegged correctly as a setup man.

Aroldis Chapman hasn’t allowed a run (earned or unearned) through 17 2/3 innings of relief this season.

The hard-throwing left-hander also boasts a dominant 31/4 K/BB ratio. Chapman should have been in the Reds’ Opening Day starting rotation after his fine showing in the Cactus League this spring and it remains a mystery as to why he’s still being wasted in a setup role.

Aroldis Chapman put up two dominant shutout innings against the Cardinals Wednesday, allowing just one hit while striking out five to pick up the win in relief.

Chapman continued to sacrifice a little velocity for better command, but he’s still throwing in the 94-97 mph range and often looking unhittable. In three appearances covering five innings, he’s allowed just two hits while sporting a 10/0 K/BB ratio. It’s hard to imagine the Reds keeping him in the bullpen much longer if he keeps this up.

Aroldis Chapman took care of the Marlins on Sunday with two scoreless relief innings to earn the win.

Tossing 20 of 28 pitches for strikes, Chapman fanned three batters and gave up only one hit. He looks very strong out of the gate.

Aroldis Chapman struck out two in a hitless eighth inning in Thursday’s season opener against the Marlins.

Chapman was followed by Sean Marshall in the ninth, who didn’t allow a hit while fanning two in a non-save situation. They have the potential to be a dominant late inning duo, but it’s tough to not think Chapman’s talent is being wasted as a set-up man.

Reds manager Dusty Baker announced Monday that Aroldis Chapman will pitch out of the bullpen this year.

Chapman did all he could this spring to convince the Reds that he’s ready to be a starter, posting a 2.12 ERA and 18/2 K/BB ratio in 17 Cactus League innings. But Baker told reporters Monday that he wants to have a reliable left-hander in the bullpen, and Bill Bray hasn’t been cutting it. Chapman won’t carry much fantasy value this season unless he winds up seeing save opportunities. But it looks like Sean Marshall will have that role.