Pagán eager to ramp up rehab after first bullpen session

SAN DIEGO – Even before a Monday conference call with the Reds training staff and team doctor Tim Kremchek, injured closer Emilio Pagán already had his spikes on, anticipating good news. Once he heard he was good to go, Pagán went to work in the bullpen for the first time during his throwing program.

Pagán, who has been on the injured list since May 6 because of a left hamstring strain, threw 20 pitches and used his whole repertoire.

“Went great," Pagán said on Tuesday. “I’m just trying to be smart about the whole process and everything. I felt really good yesterday.”

Head trainer Sean McQueeney was among those supervising Pagán's Petco Park session.

“Talking to Sean, he’s like, ‘He’s a little more aggressive than we wanted him to be,’ which we thought he would be. He’s doing really good," manager Terry Francona said.

Pagán's progress can really accelerate if he clears the next hurdle on Saturday. That's when he is scheduled to undergo another follow-up MRI to check on his healing.

“If that scan is good, we’ll let him get off the mound with some more intent," Francona said. "We’ve got to sit on him until we have more information. Don’t get me wrong, we love it when good players push. But you’ve got to do what’s right. You can’t just do what’s right when it’s convenient.”

Pagán will throw in the bullpen again on Wednesday and then after the MRI on Saturday.

“If I wake up Sunday after the bullpen Saturday and I’m not sore and I’ve recovered great, then I would push to face hitters as fast as possible, probably Tuesday," he said.

After hurting his hamstring during a May 5 appearance vs. the Cubs at Wrigley Field, the initial timeline for Pagán to return was four to eight weeks. The 35-year-old right-hander prefers not to focus on timelines and goes off how he feels. So far, there have been no bad days or reasons to slow down.

“As far as just the whole process, it’s been good up to now," Pagán said.

The Reds' bullpen could use Pagán's presence badly, as it has struggled since the start of May. Over Cincinnati's last 38 games, the bullpen has a 7.06 ERA, and it entered Tuesday 29th overall with a 5.19 ERA.

Also missing from the bullpen are veteran relievers Graham Ashcraft (right UCL sprain) and Pierce Johnson (right elbow inflammation). On Tuesday, Johnson threw his first bullpen session since he went down on May 27.

Pagán, a team leader, has alternated between watching games from the dugout and the bullpen.

“More dugout than bullpen," he said. "Because stuff in the bullpen, it can speed up quick down there, and you get three phone calls in an inning. So it’s just stay out of the way and let guys work.

“I’m just trying to be where I feel like I can help the most and not be in the way. More to just bring energy and bringing them eyes and stuff and whatever I can do to help guys."