Whistle Stops

The Reds will promote Aroldis Chapman on Sept 1 AND he will be playoff eligible.  The quirk is that players on the DL as of August 31 are playoff eligible, but each can subsequently be replaced by any player within the club's organization.  I don't know why this is the first I've ever heard of the loophole, but expect Chapman and, possibly, Jason Isringhausen to replace to eligible Reds currently on the 60-day DL.

The Rockies have released Brad Hawpe.  Hawpe was an all-star last season and actually got MVP votes.  From '06 to '09 Hawpe produced OPSs of .898, .926, .879 & .903, and, despite a down year, .771 this season.  I'm unclear on the rational of this move as it offers minimal salary relief and absolutely no return on a well-above average player.

From the "I'm shocked it took this long" file, LaGarrette Blount punched a Titans teammate today.  Say that 5x fast.