Reds' rookie Chapman to face Royals

[March 05, 2010]  GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) -- Hard-throwing young left-hander Aroldis Chapman will make his Cincinnati Reds exhibition debut Monday when he pitches against the Kansas City Royals.

The Reds landed the 22-year-old Cuban defector with a six-year, $30.25 million deal in January. Manager Dusty Baker says he expects Chapman to be nervous, but just wants him to concentrate on getting hitters out.

Baker planned to work Chapman for an inning Thursday in an intrasquad game, then in relief of Homer Bailey on Monday against the Royals at Goodyear Ballpark.

Chapman has been clocked at 100 mph, but also has control issues. Baker says that's to be expected for such a young, powerful arm.

[Associated Press]

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