Moscot begins throwing program without issue

CINCINNATI -- Reds rookie pitcher Jon Moscot injured his non-throwing shoulder in June, but his recovery from season-ending surgery still required a long wait before he could pick up a ball again.

Moscot began a throwing program on Friday and threw again on Sunday morning from flat ground. The right-hander made 50 throws at a distance of 75 feet and will stretch out to 90 feet the next time out.

"The arm feels really good. It went really well," Moscot said. "It's a little accelerated because it wasn't my throwing shoulder that was hurt. I'm really excited to get back."

On June 15 at Detroit, Moscot was pitching for the Reds when he suffered a dislocation of his left non-throwing shoulder while diving to tag a runner. The injury required surgery to repair the damage and Moscot went through a lengthy rehabilitation. His injury was similar to the one Kristopher Negron suffered vs. the Pirates on Tuesday while making a diving catch in left field. Negron is expected to need a five-month recovery and rehab following his surgery this week.

Video: PIT@CIN: Reds give an injury update on Negron

So far, Moscot has not felt any issues with his left shoulder.

"I was expecting it to be a little sore and a little weak, but I've been killing it in the training room," he said. "I've thrown twice and I haven't felt it at all.

"It's mostly getting that range of motion and strength back. It's new to me and something I haven't had to deal with before. If I'm going off how good I feel, I feel normal as far as throwing so that's a good sign, definitely."

Moscot was 1-1 with a 4.63 ERA in his first three big league starts after he went 7-1 with a 3.15 ERA in nine starts for Triple-A Louisville. The 24-year-old is expected to be among several young pitchers to challenge for a rotation spot for Cincinnati next spring.

To make up for some lost innings, Moscot could pitch in the instructional league or Arizona Fall League games after the season, or in winter ball. The Reds have not made any decisions.

"It's kind of up in the air right now," Moscot said. "It depends on how I progress the next couple of weeks."

• Reds catcher Brayan Pena, who suffered a mild right hamstring strain in Wednesday's game vs. the Pirates, did some running and swinging on Sunday morning without issue.

"Everything was very good. I checked all the boxes today," said Pena, who is day to day in his status to return.