MLB Player News

So we have a prognosis now for Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, who took a liner off the face and was carted off the field Wednesday. He'll need 6-8 weeks just for the fracture to heal, and then of course, he'll have to build up his arm strength again.

Optimistically, I could see him closing again in mid-June. Realistically, I think the Reds will hold him out until the All-Star break, giving him extra time at every step of his rehabilitation.

So basically, you're looking at less than half a season from Chapman. How much is that little of a closer his caliber worth?

More than anything, you want saves from closers. I understand Chapman is one of the few who could deliver 100 strikeouts over a full season and that those are more valuable in a Rotisserie league, but if saves are in short supply in your league, you can't pass up a surefire saves guy like Casey Janssen or Fernando Rodney for him.

Chapman goes to the back of the closer line for me, about in Rex Brothers territory. He's worth a late-round stash in leagues that offer a DL spot, but you can't afford to fall behind in saves waiting around for him.

If anyone is lucky to be out just 6-8 weeks, it is Reds closer Aroldis Chapman after he was struck in the head by a line drive Wednesday night.

That is the prognosis for Chapman, MLB.com has reported. He will undergo surgery to repair a fracture above his left eye, but could work his way back by as early as the end of May. Asked if Chapman will pitch again this season, Dr. Timothy Kemchek replied, "absolutely." 

Chapman is arguably the best and most dominant closer in baseball. He saved 38 games in 43 opportunities in each of the last two years with 234 strikeouts in 135 1/3 innings.

What befell Chapman has renewed calls for protection for pitchers on the mound.

Bryan Price said Thursday that Reds closer Aroldis Chapman is believed not to have suffered brain damage from the line drive he took above the left eye Wednesday night, per FOXSports.com. Doctors are optimistic he will experience a full recovery.

It remains to be seen how long he is sidelined from game action.

Marlins pitcher Brad Hand might not be out of the race for the final spot in the team's rotation just yet. The team announced Thursday that Hand will start one of the team's split-squad games Saturday after throwing one inning in relief during a minor-league game Wednesday.

Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman was transferred to Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, where he will undergo further testing and be kept overnight after tests have indicated fractures above his left eye and nose, the team announced.

Chapman was struck in the face above his left eye by a line drive in Wednesday's game, the remainder of which was canceled after Chapman was carted off the field. The team will have an update on his status Thursday morning.

Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman suffered a laceration and contusion above his left eye after being struck by a line drive Wednesday, but he never lost consciousness during the aftermath of the incident, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The rest of the game was canceled after Chapman took the liner to the face in the sixth inning. Reds outfielder Jay Bruce called it "the scariest thing I've ever seen."

Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman was struck in the face by a line drive in Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Medical personnel immediately ran out to tend to Chapman, who was placed on a stretcher and taken off the field in a cart. He'll be taken to the hospital by an ambulance, and the team will likely have an update on his status soon. The two teams agreed to end the game prematurely after the scary incident.

The Marlins intend to start pitcher Tom Koehler in a minor-league game Wednesday, with Brad Hand pitching one inning of relief. It could be a strong indication the Marlins plan to choose Koehler over Hand for the final spot in the team's rotation, per The Palm Beach Post.

“We want (Koehler) to stay on his day,” manager Mike Redmond said

Redmond added the team is getting closer to setting its rotation.

"We’re close (but) pitching always goes down to the last couple of days," he said. "There’s going to be some tough decisions out there and we have guys battling. I think we feel pretty good."

The Mets announced Tuesday pitcher Rafael Montero, who was competing for a spot in the team's rotation, was reassigned to minor-league camp. Mets manager Terry Collins discussed over the weekend about keeping Montero as a reliever, but he will now open the year in the rotation at Triple-A Las Vegas, per MLB.com.

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller was tagged for three runs on three hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings during Monday's spring game against the Red Sox. He failed to record a strikeout.

Miller retired the side in order and escaped the second inning without giving up a run despite issuing two walks. However, the Red Sox finally got on the board in the third inning with a two-run homer by Dustin Pedroia. The final run charged to Miller came in the fourth inning as Tyler Lyons balked home one of his inherited runners.

Miller has a 6.23 ERA through three spring starts. He's allowed a home run in each start, while striking out nine batters and issuing three walks.