Aroldis Chapman to throw bullpen

Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman will throw his first bullpen session Monday as the next step in his recovery from being hit in the face by a line drive late in spring training.

Chapman, 26, hasn't been on the mound since suffering a mild concussion and having a plate and screws inserted around his eye to repair bone following the incident on March 19. He played catch on Thursday and Friday at Great American Ball Park.

In a pregame chat with reporters Friday, Chapman was upbeat and said he's excited about returning to the mound.

The Reds haven't put a timetable on Chapman's return to the active roster.

Cincinnati (3-7) has been using a closer-by-committee approach in Chapman's absence, with left-hander Manny Parra accounting for the club's lone save. Right-hander J.J. Hoover squandered another opportunity.