Aroldis Chapman 'Hyped and Excited' About Joining Texas Rangers

Freshly-traded reliever Aroldis Chapman arrived Saturday to join the Texas Rangers for their playoff drive.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas — The first sign that Aroldis Chapman had reached Globe Life Field wasn’t the player himself. It was his duffel bag, which made it to his new locker a few minutes before he walked in.

It’s hard to miss a Kansas City Royals duffel bag in a Texas Rangers clubhouse.

Chapman didn’t have much time to leave Kansas City after learning Friday he was traded to the American League West leaders for pitcher Cole Ragans and outfielder Roni Cabrera.

In one day, the former All-Star reliever went from playing for the last-place Royals to a first-place club. Chapman will wear No. 45 and is available for Saturday's game against the Houston Astros at 3:05 p.m.

“I know this team is fighting for position for the playoffs, so I’m feeling really hyped and excited about it,” Chapman said through an interpreter.

The Rangers went after the left-handed Chapman to bolster the back end of the bullpen and get hitters to swing and miss. Even at 35, he has one of the best fastballs in the game. Rangers general manager Chris Young called Chapman’s fastball "electric." He’s thrown the third-most 100-mph pitches this season, with one topping out at 103.7 mph.

With the Royals, he went 4-2 with two saves and a 2.45 ERA in 31 games. He struck out 53 of the 122 batters faced. Chapman’s swing-and-miss rate is second in baseball. Rangers teammate Josh Sborz is third.

Chapman, with 317 career saves, seems to have recaptured the form that made him one of the best closers in the game. He owns the sixth-best save percentage in baseball history and a 2016 World Series ring with the Chicago Cubs.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy only had a chance to speak to Chapman briefly after he arrived. For now, Bochy intends to use Chapman the same way Kansas City did — as a set-up man who can pitch as early as the sixth inning.

Will Smith will still get chances to close games. Chapman’s chances, for now, will be based on matchups and days that Smith needs rest.

Keeping Chapman in the same role to start should help smooth his transition, Bochy said.

“The first few days are strange,” Bochy said. “He’s been traded before so he’s been through it. … I’m sure he expected (to be traded). The rumors were out there. So it’s no surprise to him. Still, it takes a while to get comfortable with new teammates.”

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