Report: Chapman
The Cincinnati Reds will keep Aroldis Chapman in their bullpen as their closer this season and name Mike Leake as the fifth starter, according to reports.
The Reds had not officially announced their pitching plans Friday, but the moves were speculated for the past week and reported Thursday by The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Manager Dusty Baker favored Chapman remaining the closer. Even Chapman himself said last week that he would like to work out of the bullpen. Reds management experimented with Chapman as a starter during the spring.
Chapman, 25, posted 38 saves and went 5-5 with a 1.51 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings last season.
Leake finished the 2012 season with an 8-9 record and a 4.58 ERA in 179 innings. He's no stranger to the rotation, having started 78 games the past three seasons.
