Broxton throws, but needs more time before return

OAKLAND -- When Jonathan Broxton first went on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow injury on June 15, the hope was he'd be back when eligible on Saturday.

Don't expect that to happen, however.

"Very unlikely," Reds pitching coach Bryan Price said on Wednesday.

Broxton, who had a flexor mass strain in his right elbow, doesn't have a timetable for a return as of yet. He just started throwing lightly on Tuesday after being shut down.

"It needed some time to settle down," Price said. "It was his first time playing catch yesterday. It went fine."

In 29 appearances this season, Broxton is 2-2 with a 4.33 ERA. His throwing program will begin in earnest on Friday.

"He's not pain-free yet," head trainer Paul Lessard said. "We've been doing strengthening for the last five or six days. The range of motion is back, and his strength has gotten a lot better."