Reds pitching updates

2008 pitching phenom Edinson Volquez is progressing well from "Tommy John" surgery, but he won't be ready until at least midseason.

Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman, who is said to be able to touch 100 mph on the radar gun, has been given a "pitching plan" for the spring, whatever that means. Doesn't everyone have a plan?

The 22-year-old is considered to be a candidate for Cincinnati's final rotation spot along with six other pitchers.

Fantasy Impact: Chapman sounds like a raw thrower who needs to learn to pitch. His spring development will be interesting to follow.

Volquez's situation is intriguing. Many prognosticators believe he'll be able to make an impact down the stretch. Volquez, however, struggled with his command in his breakout 2008 and wore down in the final months of the season. He's talented but raw, and a long layoff may require some time before he's in control of his very good stuff.

Fat Fausto

It's hip to have a hip problem, and Indians pitcher Fausto Carmona was well ahead of the trend with last year's hobbler which caused him to miss two months. It's not the hip, however, that was the concern when Cleveland opened spring training.

Fausto Carmona said he did report to spring training overweight, but is in better condition now.

"I've lost a few pounds," said Carmona, dripping sweat after his postgame sprints Wednesday. "I'm feeling much better."

Carmona, listed at 6-4 and 230 pounds, threw two scoreless innings Wednesday in the Tribe's 5-4 exhibition victory over the Cubs.

"Mentally, I've been just trying to throw the ball to the middle of the plate and not try to do too much," said Carmona, who walked 70 and struck out 58 last year.

If Carmona isn't keeping his weight in check, his stats could continue to take that hip check they suffered last year.

Fantasy Analysis: Two years ago, Carmona was hip as a fantasy staff ace. He won 19 games, and he finished fourth in Cy Young voting. His numbers, however, did not overwhelm. He gives up a high number of base runners for a top-tier pitcher, and he doesn't strike people out. At best, Carmona is a three-category starter in a five-category league, and that's if he can keep that WHIP down. He's no better than a middle-round option at this point.