Celebrating opener, Aroldis thrilled with recovery

CINCINNATI -- Still recovering from fractures above his left eye and nose from a horrifying moment when a line drive struck him in the face on March 19, Reds closer Aroldis Chapman continues to do well physically.

"I cannot feel better," Chapman said on Monday via translator Tomas Vera. "I cannot ask for better the way that I am now. I feel almost normal."

Chapman, who began the season on the 15-day disabled list, has not resumed any baseball activity yet. He is scheduled to see a doctor for a check-up on Wednesday.

"I haven't done anything," said Chapman, who was hit by a Salvador Perez liner vs. the Royals in Surprise, Ariz. "Everything has been as instructed, resting at home and doing just normal things. I'm just waiting. The doctor is going to see me, and he will tell me when it will be OK to do other activities."

Chapman, who received a large ovation from fans during the pregame introductions, could return to the mound for the Reds sometime in late April or early May if he progresses as expected after his surgery to repair his fractures, with a metal plate being inserted into his head.

Since the incident, Chapman has sported a pair of black eyes and a puffy nose, but he reported having no side effects from his injuries. On Monday, he rode with teammate Mat Latos in a car for the annual Findlay Market Opening Day Parade.

"At the moment I got hit, I felt pain. That's the last time I felt pain," Chapman said. "I haven't had any symptoms, any vision problems, nothing."