Healthy Broxton fills in as Reds' new closer

CINCINNATI -- Reds reliever Jonathan Broxton made a successful return from the disabled list on Friday, when he threw a scoreless ninth inning during a 2-1 loss to the Rays. Broxton issued a two-out walk and had two strikeouts. He will be the team's closer until Aroldis Chapman can return from the disabled list.

"It's great to have him back. Once we get him settled in, we'll have a little more defined idea of how the bullpen will set up in late-game situations," Reds manager Bryan Price said.

Before Broxton, who had August surgery to repair a torn flexor mass in his right forearm, setup man Sam LeCure pitched a scoreless eighth in his second appearance of the season. Price hopes to use LeCure more going forward as well.

"There were half a dozen times we had him ready to close the game if we took the lead," Price said of LeCure. "He had a lot of times getting hot and not getting in games. I felt like he was the best guy to come in at times and close the games out, and we couldn't get to him. This gives us a little better understanding on how to position our bullpen.

"Like I said going into the season, we're going to have to get to the ninth inning and then figure it out. Now I think as we get closer, Jonathan being back to regular-season strength, we can see him being more of a designated closer until Chapman gets back."