Aroldis Chapman returns to action
— -- Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman felt "normal" Thursday in his first game action since suffering a head injury in March.
"When I say 'normal,' I mean I felt like I have always been, the way I felt before the accident," Chapman said through interpreter/trainer Tomas Veras, according to MLB.com. "There is no fear, no hesitation with me."
The two-time All-Star threw two pitches at 101 mph, with another two clocked at 100 and four at 99, in his rehab start with Class A Dayton, MLB.com reported. He threw one inning and fanned two batters.
"My fastball felt really good," Chapman said, according to the website. "I threw one slider, which was not a good slider. I used a lot of changeups. The pitches were all landing where I wanted them to."
The left-hander was hit on the forehead by a line drive during a spring training game in Arizona on March 19. He had a plate inserted above his left eye and nose to help fractures heal. Chapman was one of eight Reds who opened the season on the disabled list, the most in the majors.
Jonathan Broxton is closing games in his absence.
Manager Bryan Price said earlier this week that he thought Chapman would need only a few games in the minors to get ready for his return.
"I think two or three more is exactly what I need," Chapman said Thursday night.
Chapman also said he doesn't worry about future line drives hit toward the mound.
"I don't think about that at all," Chapman said, according to MLB.com. "The only time I remember [the injury] is when you guys ask me."
Chapman finished with 38 saves for the Reds in each of the past two seasons.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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