Royals' Aroldis Chapman: Unavailable Friday with knee issue
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Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Chapman was unavailable Friday versus the Rockies because his "knee has been barking," Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Chapman was unavailable to protect a one-run lead in the eighth inning, and Carlos Hernandez (thumb) and Nick Wittgren failed to do so in his stead. It's a little concerning that the knee issue was enough to keep Chapman off the mound after the Royals just had a two-day break, but the southpaw should be considered day-to-day at this time.
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Royals' Aroldis Chapman: Earns second save
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Chapman picked up the save Tuesday against Detroit. He allowed one walk while striking out two over a scoreless inning.
After blowing each of his last two save opportunities, Chapman bounced back with a hitless ninth to secure his second save of the season. Chapman has allowed just one hit and no runs in his last five appearances (five innings) while striking out 10 batters and was given the save chance Tuesday with Scott Barlow getting the night off after tossing 1.2 innings Monday. Though Chapman has yet to allow a home run through 18.2 innings, he has a tendency to get himself into trouble by handing out walks (5.8 BB/9).
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Royals' Aroldis Chapman: Dealt second loss
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Chapman (1-2) allowed two runs on a hit and three walks in one-third of an inning, taking the loss and a blown save Thursday versus the Orioles.
Chapman was called upon to preserve a one-run lead in the eighth inning and couldn't get the job done, walking three of the five batters he faced. Amir Garrett was able to induce a double play to limit the damage, but he then struggled in the ninth. Chapman has been scored on in three of his last five outings. He now has a 3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB through 11.2 innings while adding a save, a blown save and three holds.
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Royals' Aroldis Chapman: Collects win Saturday
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Chapman (1-1) struck out two in a perfect inning, earning the win Saturday versus the Twins.
Chapman faltered a bit during the team's last series in Arizona, allowing three runs (two earned) over 1.1 innings in two appearances, but he got back on track Saturday. The hard-throwing lefty has pitched well this season with a 1.74 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB across 10.1 innings. He's added a save and two holds. Chapman continues to be part of the late-inning mix, though Scott Barlow has seen the bulk of the closing duties on the rare occasions the Royals have a lead to protect.
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Royals' Aroldis Chapman: Surrenders first run of season
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Chapman (0-1) allowed a run on a hit and a walk with one strikeout over one inning, taking the loss Monday versus the Diamondbacks.
Chapman started the year on an eight-inning scoreless streak, but it came to a close Monday. He walked Christian Walker and allowed a single to Gabriel Moreno before Nick Ahmed's fielder's choice plated the decisive run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Chapman still has an excellent 16:3 K:BB with a 1.00 ERA and 0.67 WHIP through nine innings. However, the Royals' 5-18 start to the season has allowed him to pick up just one save and one hold. Chapman's usage suggests he's still at least slightly behind the struggling Scott Barlow in the closer hierarchy.
Chapman picked up the save Saturday against the Giants while striking out two over a perfect inning.
That's the first save of the year for Chapman, and the first he's picked up as a member of the Royals. The left-hander has appeared in four games thus far in 2023, and he's struck out eight hitters over his four innings without allowing a run. It's early, but Chapman looks like the version that made him one of the best closers in baseball not too long ago. It's worth noting that teammate Scott Barlow closed out the Royals' win one day earlier.
Chapman struck out the side in the ninth inning of Saturday's 2-0 loss against Minnesota.
Chapman breezed through the Minnesota lineup and needed just 13 pitches to pick up his three strikeouts. The southpaw was making his debut with the Royals, and it's tough to beat the results the 35-year-old had during Saturday's appearance. Chapman could be in line for saves for Kansas City in the 2023 season, but he has a bit of an undefined role to begin the year.
Chapman had his next scheduled Cactus League appearance pushed from Wednesday to Thursday due to wet conditions, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Rainstorms blew threw Arizona on Wednesday afternoon and the Royals didn't want to risk an on-field mishap with their new high-leverage reliever. Chapman, signed to a one-year, $3.75 million contract in January, has recorded eight strikeouts through four innings this spring.
Royals' Aroldis Chapman: Will make Cactus appearance Tuesday
Rotowire
Chapman (mouth) is slated to make his Cactus League debut Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Chapman had been slated for a bullpen session Tuesday after suffering a split lip and a cracked tooth in a fall at home, but it appears he'll be thrown into game action instead. The veteran reliever inked a one-year deal with the Royals last month and is expected to be in the mix for saves along with Scott Barlow.
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Royals' Aroldis Chapman: Injures mouth in home accident
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Chapman required stitches on a split lip and suffered a cracked tooth after he slipped and fell at his house Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Chapman doesn't appear to be in any danger of missing extended time after the home accident, as he's expected to throw a bullpen session Tuesday before getting into a Cactus League game soon thereafter. The reliever joined the Royals on a one-year deal last month after spending the last six and a half seasons with the Yankees. The left-hander will look to recapture some of his former glory in 2023 after struggling to a career-worst 4.46 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 36.1 innings in 43 appearances with New York in 2022. Chapman is guaranteed $3.75 million on his deal, but the contract could escalate to a total value of $8.75 million based on performance bonuses for appearances and games finished. The Royals haven't formally clarified their plans for Chapman, but he could challenge Scott Barlow for the closer's role.
