“Now it seems every team brings a guy in from the bullpen that throws 100,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “The novelty is gone. In regards to Raisel, I like the fact that he’s shown this type of velocity in early July in his first full season as a relief pitcher in our bullpen. I think it speaks to the fact that he’s handling the workload, which I don’t believe has been excessive. He looks healthy. I don’t know where the velocity’s come from.”
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Chapman, who’s back with the Yankees after pitching last season with the Cubs, owns the three fastests pitches of the season and seven of the top 10. He hit 102.9 miles per hour on June 17, according to Major League Baseball’s Statcast.
Generous donation: Reds reliever Drew Storen and catcher Tucker Barnhart, along with the Reds Community Fund, donated $50,000 to the Brownsburg (Ind.) Little League on Saturday. The donation will help build a new baseball complex.
Storen and Barnhart played together for two seasons at Brownsburg High School. Storen lived within walking distance of the Brownsburg Little League fields when he moved to the town when he was 11.
“When they told me about the project, obviously I wanted to donate a portion of my salary just to get the Little League back on its feet,” Storen said.
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Roster moves: The Reds optioned starting pitcher Jackson Stephens to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday. Stephens earned the victory Saturday in his major-league debut, allowed three earned runs in five innings. The Reds beat the Cubs 5-3.
Stephens was demoted because the Reds need bullpen depth for their seven-game road trip to Colorado and Arizona this week. They promoted Asher Wojciechowski from Triple-A.
The Reds intended to send Stephens back to Triple-A even before he made his start. Stephens likely will get another chance in the rotation after the All-Star break.
“He certainly didn’t hurt his chances with his performance yesterday,” Reds manager Bryan Price said.
Stephens’ next scheduled start would have been Thursday in Colorado. The Reds have not announced who will start that game.
The Reds also moved starter Brandon Finnegan (left shoulder) to the 60-day disabled list.
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Prospect acquired: The Reds acquired minor league outfielder/first baseman Nick Longhi from the Boston Red Sox for international signing bonus pool space. Longhi, the ninth-ranked prospect in Boston's organization, hit .262 with six home runs in Double-A.
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