Healing Broxton likely a few days from return

CINCINNATI -- Injured reliever Jonathan Broxton hopes to be days away from returning to the Reds' bullpen after a lengthy disabled list stint because of a flexor mass strain in his right elbow.

As he inches closer to his comeback, the 29-year-old right-hander was back at Great American Ball Park on Saturday, but he was limited to throwing a 15-pitch simulated outing instead of enjoying the real deal.

"It's always nice to face batters, but I got to get out there and get work in, too," Broxton said. "It's kind of the only way we can do it, throwing a live game today."

Broxton came out of the simulated game feeling good, and Reds manager Dusty Baker was pleased with what he saw.

"He looked pretty good," Baker said. "His command was better than it was last time. I heard he looked real good under game conditions."

On Wednesday, Broxton appeared for Triple-A Louisville, allowing three hits and notching two strikeouts in one inning. To avoid traveling with the Bats, Broxton returned to Cincinnati for his simulated game. He'll rejoin Louisville in Indianapolis on Sunday to pitch for the second day in a row, which is one of his final tests before coming of the DL.

Barring a setback, Broxton is expected to be back with the Reds next week for the first time since hitting the disabled list in mid-June.

"I felt good the other day when I threw in a real game, and I felt good today," Broxton said. "So we'll see about tomorrow and we'll go from there."