CINCINNATI -- In his first mound work against hitters since Spring Training, Reds left-handed pitcher Alex Wood threw 21 pitches to three hitters at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday.

“It felt good to be on the bump, man. It felt really good,” Wood said afterwards. “It’s been a long time coming, and I’ve been feeling really good. I was kind of getting that itch to get back out there and start throwing every fifth day. I was really excited and encouraged by how today went. I’m looking forward to getting back out there again.”

Wood faced teammates Phillip Ervin, Josh VanMeter and Kyle Farmer. Out with lower back spasms since Feb. 25 and on the 60-day injured list, Wood has endured multiple setbacks. Following an April setback, he was shut down for a month before he resumed throwing again.

Tuesday’s work came after Wood had three bullpen sessions since his rehab moved from Goodyear, Ariz., to be with the club for home and road games. He said that he was able to throw all of his pitches.

“Command wasn’t exactly where I wanted it, but overall, it was pretty good,” Wood said. “All my stuff was pretty good. Ball was coming out. I was happy with it.”

A second live batting practice session is scheduled for Saturday at Miller Park.

“If all goes well there, then we’ll take the next big step,” Reds manager David Bell said, referencing a likely Minor League rehab assignment.

Instead of wearing the batting practice jersey and cap, Wood donned the regular Reds uniform top and cap.

“That was the first jersey that I saw when I got ready to go out. I just grabbed that,” Wood said. “It’s what I’ll be throwing in a game, so I like to keep it as close to game-like as possible.”

Wood was acquired from the Dodgers in the Dec. 21 seven-player trade that also brought Yasiel Puig, Farmer and the since-released Matt Kemp to Cincinnati.

“You can tell he’s anxious. He’s getting excited,” Bell said. “You can tell he’s getting close [by] the competitive juices and things he’s said in the clubhouse and to me. I know he’s anxious. That’s a great sign. I know that will help him get over the hump and get back to us as quickly as possible. He’s doing everything he can. We don’t need to push it too hard now, because he’s so close. Today was a big step. We’ll make sure he responds well the next couple of days and get him back out there Saturday.”

Gennett scratched from rehab game Tuesday

During his rehab assignment game for Class A Advanced Daytona on Monday, Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett went 0-for-2 with a walk while playing his scheduled five innings. Gennett also fielded two grounders at second, including starting a double play in the fifth.

Gennett has been on the 60-day IL since March 22 after he sustained a severe right groin strain during a Spring Training game. He was slated to play seven innings for Daytona on Tuesday, but that was called off.

“Everything was good. We made an early call for tonight. He got scratched,” Bell said. “There’s a lot of weather, a lot of rain in Daytona. Nothing to do at all with how he came out of last night.”