Broxton ready to get back on mound

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Because he had major surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right forearm in August, Reds reliever Jonathan Broxton was expected to be behind other pitchers when he got to camp.

The gap is starting to close some lately. After throwing on alternate days last week, Broxton has moved up to throwing every day, alternating long toss one day with shorter distances the other.

"Everything is fine. There have been no problems throwing, and no stiffness after," Broxton said on Friday.

On Monday, Broxton is scheduled to throw from a mound for the first time.

"We'll see how it goes and see how I feel," Broxton said. "Hopefully, everything will feel normal."

Broxton, 29, now has an L-shaped scar near his right elbow, similar to the aftermath of Tommy John surgery. He tore his flexor mass tendon off of the bone during an Aug. 21 game vs. the D-backs. Broxton, who had just given up a home run, felt the pain from the tear when it happened, but still threw three more pitches before exiting after a walk.

Two days later, Broxton had season-ending surgery. He later watched a video of Dr. Tim Kremchek performing the procedure. One thing he noticed was that Kremchek broke two drill bits while drilling into his bone.

"He said it was the first time that had happened in 20 years," Broxton said.